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HOSPITALITY

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 22, 1901

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 78, No. 43.

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HOSPITALITY

By A. J. Read, M. D.

A. J. READ, M. D.
(October 27 to November 2.)
The New Testament word “hospitality” means “love of strangers.” The kind entertainment of strangers is contemplated in the second great law of the decalogue, which enjoins that “thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
The custom of entertaining strangers is not as rare as one might think. It is common even among many half-civilized tribes to provide suitable accommodation for the comfort of strangers.
In the Pacific Islands it is customary to say to strangers, “The house is our mutual home.” The Mexicans welcome the stranger by saying, “My house is at your disposal.” In Hebrew times a guest was simply the “called one,” the word suggesting the custom of calling to even passing strangers. Gen. 18:2-5. In Greek times the guest was the “loved stranger,” and in Roman times to treat a stranger properly was to show hospitality or “stranger-ality.”
Ledyard has said, “Hospitality I have found as universal as the face of man.” It is principally where hospitality has been abused that cold inhospitality exists. The true nature of hospitality is expressed in the term itself, “love of strangers.” Various motives of hospitality are manifested by the hosts of to-day. Some entertain for the name of being hospitable, and bore their guests with long speeches, or worry them by the stir and extra work they make.
It was mentioned of Homer as a distinguishing virtue that he never detained his guests with long speeches, but first fed them from his simple fare and attended to their needs.
Some feel that they cannot entertain without making such radical changes in the home economy and in the diet that the whole family feel out of place, and reflect the same feeling of disquietude to the guest. To such there is instruction in Christ’s words to Martha when she was “cumbered about much serving.” “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Others are restrained from entertaining by their poverty, and a feeling that they must make great and unusual expense to entertain. They fear that necessary additional expense will compel them to deprivation. Even such may be made partakers of the blessings of hospitality, for if they have the “one thing needful,”—the humble Christian love and discipleship,—the less important accessories of food, fuel, and shelter will be provided for all alike as needed, for our Heavenly Father knoweth that we have need of these things, and “my God shall supply all your need.”
“Christ keeps account of every expense incurred in entertaining for His sake.” “He supplies all that is necessary for this work.”
The principle was beautifully illustrated when Jesus and His disciples were in a desert place, with no shelter, no place to lay their heads, and no provision for food, surrounded by the hungry multitude who, in their hunger and thirst for the words of eternal life, had forgotten their physical food. Jesus, in response to the anxious question of His destitute disciples, said, “They need not depart; give ye them to eat.”
No costly provision was made. The Creator of all foods, fruits, and delicious flavors simply spread before the people their accustomed food, manifesting His gracious power in such a way by miraculously multiplying the food, that the minds of His disciples and their guests were attracted not by the luxurious spread, but by the benevolent spirit which presided at that simple repast, and the power of God in His Son to provide for all our needs.
The spiritual and intellectual refreshment is always to be considered of first importance, and the physical provision is to be only sufficient for the occasion, and not the chief center of attraction. The essentials of practical hospitality are really only the needs of our every-day lives.
First, the one thing needful—a humble Christian heart and discipleship.
Second, cleanliness—a common but essential virtue.
Third, a hospitable spirit that will impart to the guest a feeling that he is received as a member of the family, to share with them its freedom and the joys and comforts which the home affords, not depriving the others, but contributing at least a share of the intellectual and spiritual blessings for all.
Guests treated as God directs in Lev. 19:34, will certainly be made to feel at home: “The stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself.” “God . . . loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.” Therefore He commands, “Love ye . . . the stranger.” Deut. 10:19. “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” 1 Peter 4:9. “Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers” (3 John 5); and, “Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, . . . and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” 1 Cor. 13:3. The same spirit of charity makes the home at all times a place where God’s honor dwells, and therefore a hospitable place to entertain strangers.
Fourth, due care for the health of the household by providing healthful foods. A well-aired and dry bed, with extra blanket at hand; water, soap, towels, and toilet articles to refresh the travel-fatigued body; a little plain writing material at a convenient place for ready use; a Bible always at hand; the accessories so distributed as to be at the disposal of the guest when needed, and not forced upon him by collecting after his arrival,—these make a homely but practical category.
Whom shall be entertain?—Strangers. Certainly strangers are to receive our hospitality. The Word tells us, in commemoration of Abraham’s experience with the two strangers of Mamre, to be not forgetful to entertain strangers, and adds that thereby we may entertain angels unawares.
THE TRAVELER.— A guest coming from a distance can often be greatly aided and cheered by a welcome, friendly face to meet him at the railroad station, and guide him to the home. Of course, as is often done, the stranger may go to some hotel and lodge till he can find his friends, but it is not the spirit of true hospitality which allows our friend to do so. Job says, “The stranger did not lodge in the street; but I opened my doors to the traveler.” Job 31:32.
THE NEEDY.— In time of calamity or bereavement, whether friend or enemy, the distressed one will be blessed and helped by kind hospitality. “If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink.” Rom. 12:20. “If ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin.” James 2:9.
OUR OWN BRETHREN.— Whether ministers or laymen, canvassers or Bible workers,—if they are earnestly serving God in any capacity,—they should receive especial consideration, and whatever help is possible we should cheerfully give to aid them in their work. We should “use hospitality one to another without grudging.” 1 Peter 4:9. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Gal. 6:10. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, . . . be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; . . . distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” Rom. 12:1, 10, 13.

QUESTIONS.

1. What does “hospitality” mean as used in the New Testament? Where has the Lord himself directed concerning the entertainment of strangers?
2. Tell something of the custom of entertaining strangers among half-civilized tribes. What was the guest called by the Hebrews? the Greeks? the Romans?
3. What instruction of Christ shows that guests should be entertained simply? By whom are all actual needs supplied? Who keeps account of every expense incurred in entertaining for the Master’s sake?
4. How did Jesus illustrate true hospitality? Mention some of the things that go to make up this grace.
5. Give some texts of Scripture showing how the Lord regards it.
6. Mention some of the simple things that should receive attention.
7. Tell how one Bible character set a commendable example in entertaining strangers. What promise is given concerning this feature of hospitality.
8. To what other classes should we extend privileges of our homes? How has the Lord directed that this should be done?