Hospitality as Generosity

Christians know the Bible tells them to be generous. What some may not realize is that God’s Word also tells us to be hospitable.

Still others might not realize there’s a connection between the two, hospitality and generosity. Many believe hospitality only involves entertaining with formal invitations, crystal and china in a spotlessly clean home, something rarely done these days.

The dictionary defines hospitality as “the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers. The quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.” No argument there, but God’s Word takes it a step further.

When we challenge ourselves to study hospitality from a biblical perspective, we seethe instruction in Romans 12:13 to share with the Lord's people who are in need: “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

Hospitality is one of the greatest acts of generosity. Why should we care about hospitality? First, it can be a pathway to fulfill the role God has for us as His ambassador. 2 Corinthians 5:20 reads, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

Second, hospitality allows us to generously make others’ lives easier. Consider the Shunammite woman who gave the prophet Elisha food and shelter in 2 Kings 4:9-10: “And she said to her husband, ‘Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.’”

In his book Unreasonable Hospitality, restaurateur Will Guidara relates the success he’s had by offering hospitality beyond anything his guests might expect. His approach transformed an average New York cafe into the World’s Best Restaurant in 2017.

Guidara defines “unreasonable hospitality” as dedication to providing guests with a fantastic experience that stretches the limits of what seems sensible, providing people with a unique, tailor-made service that makes them feel like VIPs, exceeding expectations.

Does that bring us back to the concept of fine linens and china? No, because hospitality is a mindset of celebrating others, with attention to the smallest details that can make someone feel special. Here are some potential opportunities based on concepts presented in Unreasonable Hospitality:

• Showing love in ways each guest will recognize and feel
• Fostering selflessness
• Providing refuge, a safe space
• Deepening fellowship, to know and be known
• Filling you and your guest with joy, as God wired us to experience

Hospitality is best delivered with a balance of creativity and spontaneity. It sounds paradoxical, but it isn't. You plan ahead, looking for opportunities to be spontaneous, ways you can show unreasonable hospitality and generosity. Your heart is “always open”. Indeed, your whole world is “open” to the possibility of serving others.

The greatest barriers to hospitality are ingratitude and the perceived lack of time and money. Pray for a spirit of gratitude for what God has given you. As you experience it, you’ll naturally want to share more with others. You’ll find margin in your time and money to do it.

You can turn these concepts into reality. Think about one gift that you have that you would be excited to share with others in an act of unreasonable hospitality and generosity. Decide what you can do this week to share that gift with someone else. We all have gifts that we can share with others– the Bible tells us that, too.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.” 1 Peter 4:10.