In what ways can we practice godly hospitality in our communities today? Setting the Scene "When he looked up and saw the traveler...the old man asked, ‘Where are you going…?’" (Judges 19:17) The narrative is factual, recording an older man who, despite dark days in Israel, immediately noticed a weary stranger and moved to meet his need. His quiet act of welcome becomes a timeless template for us. Timeless Take-Aways from the Old Man’s Porch • Alert eyes – he “looked up and saw.” Hospitality begins with paying attention. • Swift initiative – no committee, no delay; he spoke first. • Personal engagement – questions that valued the traveler’s story. • Provision of safety – offering his own home when the square was unsafe. • Costly love – he risked resources and reputation to care for outsiders. New Testament Echoes • "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers..." (Hebrews 13:2) • "Share with the saints who are in need; practice hospitality." (Romans 12:13) • "Show hospitality to one another without complaining." (1 Peter 4:9) • "I was a stranger and you welcomed Me." (Matthew 25:35) • "Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind." (Luke 14:13) Practical Ways to Practice Godly Hospitality Today Home-based • Keep an extra seat at the dinner table for neighbors, coworkers, college students, or single adults. • Set aside a “guest basket” with toiletries and snacks for anyone who might need an overnight stay. • Coordinate block-wide cookouts that draw quiet neighbors into warm conversation. Church-centered • Arrive early to greet unfamiliar faces; offer to sit with them and guide them through the service. • Adopt missionaries, pastors-in-training, or traveling ministers for Sunday lunches. • Open small-group meetings to newcomers regularly instead of keeping circles closed. Community-focused • Volunteer at local shelters, refugee resettlement agencies, or campus international student programs. • Offer rides to medical appointments for elderly neighbors. • Create “blessing bags” (water, snacks, Scripture portions) to keep in the car for homeless contacts. Digital-age expressions • Host virtual Bible studies for shut-ins or parents of special-needs children. • Use neighborhood apps to share surplus produce, tools, or baby gear. Heart Posture Checkpoints • Intentional prayer before guests arrive, asking God to make His love tangible through you. • Simplicity over impressiveness—people remember warmth, not perfect décor. • Listening more than speaking; stories matter. • Respecting boundaries: generosity never manipulates or pressures. • Perseverance: when hospitality is rejected, keep offering it elsewhere. Closing Encouragement The same Lord who preserved this literal account in Judges still notices every cup of water offered in His name. Each act of welcome—large or small—becomes a living testimony that the gospel has taken root in us and is now extending through us to the stranger at the city gate, the pew, or the apartment next door. |
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