Verse of the day: Romans 12:13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
The Apostle goes on to
address the topic of giving and being hospitable. Sadly, we have become a
society that is self-absorbed, and even as Christians have taken on the
attitude of the world in that we take care or #1 first, and if we can, we may
consider the needs of someone else. Amongst God’s people this ought not to be;
for when we behave in that manner what we are communicating is that we do not
trust God to provide for our needs while He uses us and the material wealth He
blesses us with to be a blessing to those around us that are in need. One of the
consequences of being poor stewards of what God blesses us with is that we
limit what we can do for others, especially for our brother and sisters in
Christ, when the opportunities arise. We then find ourselves in a position where
we have to choose between helping someone else or being too afraid that our own
needs will not be met. The Apostle Paul is very specific as to whose needs we
are to give to freely; the saints (or true born again believers). As members of
the same family, we are to treat one another as such, and always be ready to
help those who have genuine needs, regardless of whether the need is unexpected
or because the brother or sister are poor and unable to obtain what is needed.
Let us also keep in mind that the need may not always be material, but may be
in the form of prayer, advice, time, or the giving of our talents and
abilities. Regardless of what that need, the Scriptures are clear that if we have
the means to provide this world’s good to a brother in need, and we do not, how
does the love of God dwell in us (1 Jn 3:17)? Not only are we to give, but we
are to give bountifully, for if we give sparingly we will reap sparingly (2 Cor
9:6). Let us not be forgetful that we can never out-give God, and when done
with the right heart, God will take care of rewarding our sacrifice; in other
words, give not seeking the praises of men, but obediently and out of duty to
the Lord (Mt 6:1-2). We must give out of love for our brethren (1 Co 13:3), and
do so willing, cheerfully, and thankfully (2 Co 9:7); thankful because all that
we give to others, we are giving back to Him (1 Chron 29:13-14). There may even
come a time when the need may that the brother/sister needs a meal or a place
to sleep. One of the things that I have enjoyed over the years is opening our
home to host missionaries or have family members stay with us and even inviting
people who normally do not get invited to people’s homes to break bread and
share a time of fellowship. Sadly, I have seen unsaved people of other cultures
who are more hospitable than many Christians I know. Yet, God calls us to be
some of the most hospitable people on earth, just as He is always willing to
take in whomever will come to be a part of His family (Jn 1:12). The writer of
Hebrews reminds us that we are to be always ready to even entertain strangers,
as we may be ministering to angels unawares (Heb 13:2). We are to be hospitable
to one another without grudging (1 Pt 4:9); this is expected especially from a
bishop (1 Tim 3:2). When we receive one another, we receive Christ, and when we
receive Christ, we receive the Father (Mt 10:40-42). The saints of old were
well known for being hospitable (Abraham, Lot, Job; Gen 18:1-8; Gen 19:1-2; Job
31:16-17). During Jesus’ time here on earth this was a common practice (Lk
10:7). Even today, in eastern nations it is still commonly found, again even
amongst those who do not profess faith in Jesus. How much more should we then,
as God’s children, also be hospitable toward others? The bottom line is that
whatever we own, whether material (this world’s goods), home, car, money, time,
talents, abilities, it all belongs to the Lord, and He has blessed us with
these thing in order that we might bless Him by allowing Him to use us to bless
others; and maybe be the means by which He answers someone’s prayers in respect
to a need or a number of needs they might be praying about. Yes, giving to
others and being hospitable does occasionally come with its challenges, as it
may put us outside of our comfort zone, and may call for great sacrifice.
However, when we trust God fully to take care of our needs and burdens, we are
then able to freely help others with their needs and burdens; knowing full well
that God sees all and know what we need even before we ask it (Mt 6:8).
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