Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Hospitality Verses

Last week, I mentioned I wanted to memorize one verse about gracious hospitality as part of the Clean Heart study I'm doing.

Carolina Mama requested that I post some of the verses I was thinking about memorizing...so here they are!

Philemon 4-7, "I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints."
Romans 12:13, "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
1 Peter 4:9, "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."
1 Timothy 5:9-10, "No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds."
Titus 1:8, "Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined."
3 John 5-8, "Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. t was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth."

I have an idea which one I want to learn, but I'm curious which one you'd choose and why. Please share.

15 comments:

Edi said...

I'd probably go for the 1 Peter one - it's short (bonus) and to the point!

If everyone just took that verse to heart - it would be great. Not only to be hospitable but w/out grumbling.

I've sometimes prayer for opportunities to be hospitable and then the opportunity comes but it's not the "fun" one I thought it would be... We sometimes think of hospitality as having over someone we invited and having an enjoyable time of friendship and fellowship. But sometimes it ends up being something like picking up a relative's friend from the airport late at night and having them spend the night w/out any enjoyable conversation.

Hospitality isn't always "fun" - but it is biblical, and should be an honor.

Jessica said...

Hello Monica,

I've been enjoying your blog for a couple of weeks now. Thank you for prompting us to consider the verses on hospitality. I just did a post on 1 Peter 4:9, and thought you might like to check it out.

Katy said...

I like the 1 Peter 4:9 one. How true is it that we need to be kind and have hospitality toward one another without grumbling. Too often...people act "put out" to do things for other people. ya know? So...that is the verse I would choose :)

Frances said...

I'm leaning towards Titus 1:8 today - it has several concrete character traits I can work on with the goal of becoming more hospitable. "Self-controlled" and "disciplined" are biggies, and they incorporate the "without grumbling" in 1 Peter 4:9.

Anonymous said...

I have to say either Phil. or 1 Peter, but they are all good. I have definitely been convicted about being more hospitable. I think my husband is not totally on board because he knows how harried I get at the last minute.
I did read Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World for Bible Study this past fall and it was good. The author suggested that we not clean before company comes, but rather keep a clean, presentable home so its not so stressful to have people over. That is something I for sure need to work on.
Thanks for the post.
Elise

Brie said...

Before reading the other comments, I too was leaning towards 1 Peter 4:9, and not just because it's short!

The thing that strikes me about hospitality is that it's very easy to be hospitable when we are expecting people to come by and we feel prepared. But hospitality doesn't end there.

We are to be hospitable even when it's unexpected, or we don't like the people, or our house is a mess, etc. It's during these times that it's easy to grumble and I think that's why this verse reminds us to be hospitable WITHOUT grumbling.

Anonymous said...

I actually liked the 3 John:

It gave encouragment-you are faithful (Satan can drag us down so easily)

It told who-even strangers (it is easier to be hospitibale to friends-my friends know my house has the lived-in look...stretching to be that way to strangers)

It told how-in a manner worthy of God (just ponder that for a moment!)

It gave a result-not even the pagens could take the glory...cause they didn't help

It gave reason-to work together for the truth. Isn't that our purpose, to spread the truth!?!?!

Thanks for posting these! I never would have seen this verse:-)

Anonymous said...

My husband made me a special birthday present with verses on hospitality prominently displayed, along with the original Greek for hospitality, which is the name of my blog. I posted a (bad) picture of it on my blog here: http://philoxenos.info/?p=293

I personally really like the 1 Peter verse from the Amplified version: do it ungrudgingly.

Anonymous said...

The Philemon verses appeal to me.

I've been hosting a ladies night in our home every Tuesday night to encourage each other in our roles as wives, mothers, keepers at home, etc. I didn't realize it but those verses speak to my goal: "refreshing the hearts of the saints." I pray for the courage to "be active in sharing my faith" with these ladies (and they with me). I like what the verse says is the fruit of doing so: "so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." Something for me to roll over in my mind as I memorize this verse!

Thanks so much for sharing, Monica. I've started blogging again and am doing a "Spice Up Your Marriage" series. Stop by if you get a chance.

Lynn said...

hello Monica - I'd go with 1 Peter 4:9, "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."
It has been a difficult year health wise & I am a bit weary. "Doing Christmas" for extended family was hard. And now we have Mother's Day this coming Sunday in the UK so again lots of extended family to cook for (though hubby & sons are cooking). I am trying to keep hospitality going so I need to keep repeating this verse (and it's short enough to remember - these meds have ruined my memory!!
Great post.
Lynn.

*carrie* said...

Monica,

I'd pick the Titus one, and think you probably would, too.

So does this mean you'll host me without grumbling?! Ha! =)

Sara said...

I would go for the Philemon one - because it addresses sharing your faith - so easily done through hospitality to non believers (our lives are the sermon!) and also talks about refreshing the hearts of the saints. I think hospitality to fellow believers is important too - and this verse seems to cover both!

Anonymous said...

1 Peter 4:9, "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."

This is the one I need to write on my heart.

I LOVE to do things for others but sometimes get discouraged if the person does not say "thank you" or I do not receive the recognition I feel I should. "Without grumbling" are the words I need to remember.

Daughter of Annie said...

1 Peter 4:9, "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."

Wow this one really hit me - I have really trying to do for others lately with out "grumbling"- thanks so much for the encouragement... God bless - M

Joanne@ Blessed... said...

1Peter 4:9 for me...I have the gift of hospitality but sometimes don't wrap my gift up as beautifully as I should. I need to remember that grumbling sometimes is not a godly trait.

My grumbling usually comes BEFORE everyone arrives when I am trying to clean the house and don't feel like I am getting much help from the family.

I am having a baby shower here for a gal from church on Saturday morning. We are having a shower brunch. I will try not to grumble at all on Friday or Saturday morning before guests arrive.

Thanks for the reminder!

Blessings, Joanne