February 2024 Word Prompt
A Feast of Grace: Nurturing a Heart of Gratitude
Koinonia Prompt #16: Hospitality
Growing up as a pastor’s daughter, Saturdays meant engaging in visitations. My father, along with the members of the visitation unit, would visit both new and existing members of the church in small teams. Occasionally, my sister and I would join the visits, riding in the back of the car when my mom accompanied my father.
Throughout these visits, we were instilled with the principle of graciously accepting whatever food or drink was offered at the homes we visited. The church comprised members of varying financial standing, ranging from affluent to those facing financial challenges. Our instruction was to express gratitude for whatever we were offered, aligning with Jesus’s command, even if it was as simple as a cup of water.
Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay. If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you (Luke 10:7–8 NLT).
Transitioning into college, I encountered a surprising attitude among Christian students who were visiting me. Some seemed to be evaluating the reception in the homes they visited and making inferences about their hosts’ characters.
I recall a student pastor expressing disappointment when I offered him only a jug of water during his visit to my father’s house — all I had at the time. Unaware of our circumstances, he compared his experience with other ladies in the fellowship and criticized the perceived low treatment. It didn’t occur to him that there might be financial constraints or that my family may be relying on God for our next meal. Instead of considering these possibilities, he concluded and vocalized his disappointment in my perceived lack of warmth.
While the biblical directive encourages Christians to extend hospitality to each other and strangers (Genesis 18:6–8, Hebrews 13:2), it’s crucial for us, as guests, to guard our hearts and refrain from passing judgment on our hosts. Some may offer a lavish feast, while others provide what they can, akin to the widow’s mite.
Gratitude should be our response, understanding that sometimes the food served is a ministry in itself, and our mere presence might be the ministry our host needs. Our focus should be on emulating Christ’s example and meeting the needs of those around us rather than fixating on satisfying our own desires (Philippians 3:17–19 NLT).
In our pursuit of becoming more hospitable in line with our faith, let’s also cultivate a spirit of gratitude and grace when receiving hospitality.
