Though we don't often think...
Illustration
Though we don't often think of it this way as a spiritual gift, that's exactly what hospitality is. In fact, it may be what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he included "ministering" (Romans 12:7) in his list of spiritual gifts. Both the NIV and RSV translate it as "serving."
In every church, there have always been a few people who serve God faithfully in the kitchen, preparing food, serving dinners to grieving families following funerals, dropping pies off to newly arrived pastors, making coffee for the fellowship hour, and generally making people feel at home. It is a spiritual gift, for not just anyone can do it.
Hospitality is a vital quality in any church. One pastor tells of visiting a local church to lead a Bible study at a Wednesday night dinner. A disheveled "street person" came in to eat. The pastor was delighted to see a grandmother get up, offer the homeless woman a place at the table and a plate of food. The grandmother then took a place beside the woman, sharing conversation with her while the two ate.
Hospitality is a warm characteristic of the kingdom of God.
In every church, there have always been a few people who serve God faithfully in the kitchen, preparing food, serving dinners to grieving families following funerals, dropping pies off to newly arrived pastors, making coffee for the fellowship hour, and generally making people feel at home. It is a spiritual gift, for not just anyone can do it.
Hospitality is a vital quality in any church. One pastor tells of visiting a local church to lead a Bible study at a Wednesday night dinner. A disheveled "street person" came in to eat. The pastor was delighted to see a grandmother get up, offer the homeless woman a place at the table and a plate of food. The grandmother then took a place beside the woman, sharing conversation with her while the two ate.
Hospitality is a warm characteristic of the kingdom of God.
