While reading the Bible this morning, I came across a passage of scripture
that really made me think. Of course, all scripture should get our brain
wheels rolling, but I especially like it when the Word of God makes me
check my motives, don't you? Then it gets my heart wheels rolling! Turn
with me to Luke 14 and let's read verses 12-14, which say:
Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a
supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor
thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again; and a recompense be
made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the
lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense
thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
"When thou makest a dinner or a supper"… Ladies, this is not to be understood
as something we do when we feel like it but Jesus expects it to be a regular
occurrence! Sharing meals is an important part of life and pouring yourself
into making a meal says a lot to those we entertain, even if it is just
your husband and children seated at the table! In the East, eating together
is a sign of friendship and commitment to one another and I would have
to agree.
At our church, in place of visitation on the first Thursday of every month,
we have what is called "Family Fellowship Night". This is where every
family invites another family into their home for dinner, making sure
that no one is without a place to go. There are several reasons why my
husband decided to put this into practice. First of all, he wanted our
families to learn to exercise hospitality one toward another. Secondly,
he also wanted a personal kind of fellowship to occur in a private setting
rather than just a public setting at church. Lastly, it was instituted
so that a spirit of unity and a family atmosphere would be present within
our church. It has been a great blessing and the results have been rewarding
for everyone involved!
Of course, every month we are all faced with the decision of who to invite
into our homes…. This also is a lesson in itself! Why do I say that? Because
we are continually faced with the very issue that our verses today are
pointing out! Whether or not your church practices this same thing, what
God's people have to be careful of is extending a false hospitality. Such
was the case on the occasion described here in Luke 14 when a leader of
the Pharisees invited Jesus to dinner. Naturally, Jesus was fully aware
of what was in men's hearts just as He is fully aware of what is in our
hearts today AND in our reasons for the guests we choose to come into
our home!
How important would the Savior say position, title or status symbols are
to you in your social circle? Certainly, Jesus would be an intimidating
person to sit with at a meal, for He would know our very hearts and thoughts
the entire time… What would your guests think of your reasons for inviting
them into your home if they could do the same? Would the dinner be more
comfortable or extremely uncomfortable if this were the case? Jesus presence
was requested on this particular occasion simply to be watched and then
later criticized. Ladies, I hope we are not guilty of such behavior when
extending hospitality to others! Is your table set with truth or as a
trap?? Have you been serving deceit for dessert? How much sweeter our
fellowship is when sincerity is served before, during and after the meal,
amen? False hospitality is not an expression of the love and grace that
God would expect us to extend to one another!
Romans 12:13
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
When extending hospitality, it's not us that should be the focus, but
others. To begin with, our scripture today warns us about only entertaining
those who are comfortable to entertain. Those we know well, those that
are fun to be with or won't require any in-depth spiritual conversation,
those we know will help us clean up or won't stay too late, those that
we want to show off our new china to or impress with our newly remodeled
kitchen etc. In essence, hospitality becomes nothing more than a "mutual
admiration society" as one commentator so aptly put it.
Ladies, there are many ways in which we are guilty of false hospitality
and our social life fits this description more often than not, especially
in the church! Bet you didn't think of it that way, did you? How many
times have you waited to invite someone over after everything in your
home was perfect so that you could receive some praise? How many times
have you known this is the very reason you have not yet been invited as
a guest into other homes? Maybe you are saving up for that special item
you feel will impress folks and purchasing that new item becomes cause
for celebration as you invite guests to come and be in awe of what you
own. Perhaps you want to prove to others that you ARE a "Proverbs 31 Woman"…
You work like a dog all day cooking and baking recipes you know will bring
you compliments all night long, setting out to leave your female guest
feeling inadequate at being a capable hostess in her own home. That's
not distributing to the necessity of the saints - it is self-seeking!
Do you purposely try to outshine other women with elaborate recipes??
What a shame when we as Christians are only trying to rise above or impress
one another with a fancier teacup collection or even our godly habits!
Have you ever invited the pastor and his family over just so that they
could observe and marvel over the condition of your home and the wonderful
behavior of your children and be impressed with your godliness and knowledge
of scripture? Or maybe you've invited him simply so you could examine
his family and pick them apart like a bone after they leave... Ladies,
if any of these motives exist in our hearts, we aren't using our hospitality
for the right reasons!
Romans 12:9
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to
that which is good.
Our motives for sharing must be for the praise of God and not for the
applause of men! Look for no recompense... The Lord tells us that we are
blessed when we invite those who cannot pay us back, those who cannot
bring anything to the table but their handicaps. Have you invited anyone
like that into your home lately? Someone who is too blind to notice your
expensive teacups? Someone who is too lame to keep up with the Joneses?
Someone who is too poor to return the favor and cook as elaborately as
you? Someone whose life is so maimed by sin that you have decided you
didn't want them seated at your table and in your presence? I hope that
needy people are at the top of our list of guests to invite into our homes!
If our motives are pure they will be. And if our hearts are right, God
will also see to it that we are properly repaid. You see, ladies, when
we serve others from unselfish hearts, we are laying up for ourselves
treasures in Heaven! We will be rewarded one day... In the meantime, allow
God to change your focus from profit and loss to sacrifice and service,
won't you? Let's forget about competing with one another and think more
about how to complete one another.
When thou makest a dinner or a supper, prepare your attitude too! Remember
that Christ is the unseen guest at every meal, the silent listener to
every conversation! May what takes place in your home be pleasing to Him!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
