Hospitality is the friendly, generous reception and entertainment of guests or strangers, especially, in one’s home. Being hospitable is very important in marriage. Let’s examine a few of the benefits of hospitality:

Angelic Presence

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2

It is a known fact that wherever the angels of God are sent to minister to the heirs of salvation, they are there to defend you, provide for you and generally minister to you. So, as you are hospitable, you end up welcoming them into your home. Abraham and Sarah, for instance, entertained angels. They both made the visitors feel welcomed, relaxed and refreshed. By their hospitality, they received their son, Isaac!

Increases

Whatever level you have attained in life, increase is still possible, and hospitality brings increases. Those who give never want. Their giving yields returns and comes back to them a hundredfold. Sometimes, hospitality may not be convenient, but as you sow in tears, God ensures that you reap in joy.

At Women fellowship meetings, I often encourage the women to always be hospitable, both at home and outside. One of the women testified of how a visitor came to their house and did not have enough money to return to his station. He belonged to another branch of the church. She told him her husband was out of town and that the money he left wasn’t even enough for them. She, however, sold some foodstuff and gave him the money.

Before the man left, he made some prophetic utterances that God would surprise her. From the following week, God began to bless their family with money, materials and foodstuff like never before! Where there was not enough previously, suddenly, their home became a place of abundance!

Hospitality brings honour and increase. The fear of being impoverished if you feed people will become a thing of the past when you know that givers never lack; rather, you will always have more than enough to at and to give out to others.

There is, however, a need for caution here. There are some wolves clothed in sheepskin. There is, therefore, a need to exercise caution as you throw open your doors, for some use it as an occasion to do evil. Wisdom has to be applied here.

Singles too are expected to be hospitable. Rebecca is a perfect example of hospitality. When Abraham’s servant came to Mesopotamia to take a wife for Isaac, he said a prayer to God:

“…let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac…” Genesis 24:14

The servant, knowing the kind of family Isaac belonged to (a family addicted to hospitality), prayed for a kind and hospitable wife for Isaac. He knew that any woman who would offer water to a stranger and his camels would be a hospitable person. The criterion for his choice was not possessions, height, beauty or education, but a warm and loving heart.

Singles who are hospitable will certainly welcome their Life partners somehow. Do you believe God for a life partner? How hospitable are you? May God give you understanding! The joy of having a life partner can be yours, if you will add a touch of friendliness and hospitality to your life.

If you are married, it is probable that it was your hospitable response to your spouse that drew the two of you together. No one marries an unapproachable, unloving or unfriendly person. So, to keep enjoying this honour and acceptance, you must continue to be hospitable.

Let Brotherly Love Continue

There is a catalyst that makes hospitality easy; it is called brotherly love. It is what makes you want to reach out to others and give them a helping hand. It is what makes you want to share what you have with others. Hospitality has great benefits, but brotherly love should be the reason for reaching out to others (Romans 12:10, 13).

Brotherly love can find expression through giving. It could be a cup of water, a meal, money, a warm smile or a listening ear; whatever is within your power to give. Don’t eat your food or drink your water alone.

Remember that the liberal soul shall be made fat (Proverbs 11:25)! Hospitality is not really in what is given, but the way it is given.

Brotherly love should be what activates hospitality and not selfish gain. Philemon ensured that he refreshed the bowels of the saints; therefore, he could be called a true brother. As Christians, we are all brothers since we have the same Father, and except we relate with one another on the basis of love, we cannot please Him.

This was the strength of the first century Church. No one had a need. Those who had, eagerly distributed to others who had none; they had all things in common (Acts 2:44-45). As a result of this display of brotherly love, God’s power was evident in their midst.

You must be sold out to hospitality because it is the path to God’s presence in your marriage and home. You can make it a point of duty to bring great joy and consolation to members of the household of faith.

In the early days of the ministry, my husband and I had to share our home and toilet facilities with the whole church. We did it then without grumbling or complaining, knowing that it was just a phase and we would pass through it to a better one. I believe that is one of the reasons why God blessed us with a larger place.

We learnt early that a friendly and open home is commended by God. In our home, we are given to hospitality and we enjoy it. In actual fact, it is our Watchword! Genuine and sincere hospitality brings with it geat rewards. You will not miss your reward!..

This text is an extract from the book “MAKING MARRIAGE WORK” written by Faith A. Oyedepo. 
We invite you to read the following article “FAMILY FINANCE“.