Welcome to Day 31 of the 40 Days of Return. Today I like to focus on returning to the Lord in hospitality. The scripture says in Romans 12:13: Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
God’s People Also Go Through Life
It is a tough time, and there is no gainsaying that many people are really going through life. You must have heard many people talk about the blessing of Abraham, with special emphasis on money and financial success. Some prosperity preachers even make you feel as if once you give your heart to Jesus and become born again, you are not going to be in need anymore, as if to say you will become super-rich.
I am sure you know from experience that their claims are not necessarily true. The scripture is clear about the fact that the Lord’s people can be in need. The bible verse for today says “… the Lord’s people who are in need.” You can be in need and I can be in need. Your need may be food, money, job, encouragement, counsel, comfort, or friendship. I believe the Bible is particularly talking about the basic needs of life here, which include food support, clothing, accommodation, financial assistance, paying up debts, and getting a job or means of sustenance and livelihood.
The Lord, speaking through Apostle Paul, would want you to do two things: first, share; second, practice hospitality. Let us look at these two instructions.
Sharing with the Lord’s People
One of the traits people will develop in the end time is what the bible calls selfishness, thinking about themselves alone. And if you look around, it seems that is fast becoming a reality. But the Lord would have his disciples do things differently. How? He wants you to open your barns and share. No, you should not be like the rich fool or the ungrateful servant.
Be a shepherd at heart, paying attention to the needs of those around you. If there is any time to be sensitive to the needs of others, it is now. You see, it is possible that you do not have so much, but you might be better than someone. Someone might be more in need than you, therefore you should share what you have with such people.
It is easier to share when you understand that what you have now will never be enough and that God is always faithful to meet the needs of His children. For me, I always count it joy when the Lord gives me the opportunity of being a blessing to others or sharing with those in need more than me. I see it as a way to serve God’s purpose for my life. I see it as a way to store my treasure in heaven. I see it as a way to make Jesus known to others and above all, meet the need of the other person while making God glad.
Practicing Hospitality
As I meditate on the scripture in Romans 12:13, it occurs to me that it is not enough to meet the need of those in need because they ask you for help. You must make it your lifestyle to be hospitable, extending help and support to others even when they do not ask you.
Brother Barnabas was known in the Bible for being a good man. Abraham practiced hospitality towards the Lord without knowing. Lot also saved his own life and family through his hospitality towards the angels that visited his city.
This is a higher level than sharing with those in need, whose needs are obvious and who might even have asked for your help. This is more about making it your habit to care for other people as the Lord leads you, even when they might not have asked for your help. My wife describes this as getting into the habit of asking God for those He would have you reach out to and support. That makes you a ready giver.
Growing in Hospitality
Ask to assist. Seek to help. Always look for opportunities to be a blessing and to sow into the lives of other people. That is the realm of practicing hospitality. It means having the practice of hospitality ingrained in your character and becoming your lifestyle and pleasure. You have gone beyond struggle, hesitation and compulsion, and have found deep-seated pleasure and joy in giving, sharing, helping, and supporting others. You have caught a vision of the blessing and blessedness of giving out yourself, and not just your money.
Let me make it clear that it does not happen naturally. You do not get to that point without making it a choice and deciding to obey the Lord by making it a practice. I can assure you that the more you do it, the better you become, and the greater the joy you find in the Lord. I ask the Lord for greater capacity for you to become more generous and larger in your heart and hospitality in Jesus Name.
