I recently read a book about hospitality called Face to Face: Meditations on Friendship and Hospitality. It was an excellent read and one I would recommend to anyone. It really kicked me in the tail. While I have a heart for hospitality in general, sometimes I find myself lacking in that area – even though it is referred to several times in the New Testament. Why do I struggle? Well, let’s be honest – whole foods aren’t cheap. I buy the good stuff now….so sometimes I want to hoard it for myself and my family. Sometimes it’s hard to use my coconut oil on someone who might not care. But here’s the thing…..it doesn’t matter if they care. What matters is that I’m showing love to them and filling their tummy. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 Hospitality is showing love to your Christian brothers and sisters by filling their tummy and making them a part of your home.
Most people struggle with the same thing I do – the money part. If you’re strapped for cash when feeding your own family, how can you feed other people? The answer is simple – hospitality doesn’t have to break the bank. The thought that hospitality is expensive is a LIE. Hospitality is sharing what you have with someone else – giving of yourself and your abundance. As Barry has said before, if you hold your money in a closed fist, it surely won’t leave……but nothing can get in either. Sharing what you have will fill you up with joy and fulfillment. And here’s how to do it without spending a fortune. [Read more…]