~ The Spiritual Gift of Hospitality
~
Opening Comment ~ “Do not be deceived, my beloved
brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes
down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of
turning. Of His own will He brought us
forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His
creatures” (James 1:16-18).
Serving Gifts ~ Within the Service Sector we compared the
Spiritual Gift of Serving with non-profit organizations in society. The Gift of Going / Mercy was likened to
Missionaries, while the Gift of Helps is a parallel for food banks and similar
organizations. The Gift of Hospitality
is compared to the travel industry (hotels, restaurants, etc.).
The Gift of Hospitality ~ This can easily be considered a specialized
gift which is a part of the gift of helps.
Scripture ~ “But the end of all things is at hand;
therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for
one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’ Be hospitable to one another without
grumbling. As each one has received
a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of
God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as
the oracles of God. If anyone ministers,
let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God
may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the
dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1
Peter 4:7-11).
“‘Without grudging.’ However we
extend our hospitality, it should be done with real warmth” –J. Vernon McGee
Comment ~ I think hospitality can be expressed in ways
other than entertaining in your home. The
minister who is traveling and speaking in conferences often prefers / needs
time alone. He may be best served with a
hotel where he can study and pray rather than be in a home where he is
obligated to carry on conversation all the time. You can extend hospitality by taking care of the
hotel bill. You could also invite him
out for dinner.
Closing Comments ~ “Let no one despise your youth, but be an
example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in
purity. Till I come, give attention to
reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which
was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the
eldership. Meditate on these things;
give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the
doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing
this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:12-16).
“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my
hands. For God has not given us a spirit
of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:6-7).
“As each one has
received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the
manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).
~ Robert Lloyd
Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
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