This post is by Deborah Talbert, loving and faithful wife to Pastor Bud Talbert and mother to five children, one of whom is my husband, David. Her teaching has shaped my life, as it has many, many women who knew her. On January 15, 2023, she passed into eternity after a battle with pancreatic cancer. We learned much from her as she suffered and trusted God to the end. This article was written years ago, and she didn’t merely teach these truths; she lived them out. Articles on this site have been republished with her blessing and are here to allow her life’s work to continue to touch lives.
Recently a study of Christian hospitality has made an impression on a number of folks in our church as we study the life of Abraham during our adult Sunday School time. Genesis chapter 18 describes the prompt, abundant, and attentive hospitality that Abraham showed his visitors, the Lord and two of His angels. This 99 year old host “ran” to greet them (v.1), “hastened” to instruct Sarah to prepare bread for the guests (v. 6) and “ran” to select a calf to butcher and roast for their meal (v.7). Abraham took prompt, urgent care of his guests.
Abraham’s instructions for Sarah to “Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.” (v. 6) would produce the modern day equivalent of over 1,000 pancakes! Abraham personally chose a calf, veal in our terms, to feed these three stranger guests. The sumptuous meal included the cakes of bread that Sarah formed, butter, milk and the carefully prepared meat. Abraham provided abundantly for his unexpected guests.
Abraham did not sit in his tent and instruct his servants to show hospitality, he did it himself.
He was the one to run out and meet them (v.2), urge them to rest and have a meal (v. 3-5), tell his wife how much bread to make (v.6), choose the calf to be prepared (v. 7), serve the guests personally (v.8), then walk with them part of the way to their destination. Abraham showed personal attention to every aspect of his guest’s comfort.
As Christians we have a responsibility to show hospitality to the brethern. While studying Abraham’s generosity and personal attention to his guests, I was convicted of my own shortcomings in this area. When there have been opportunities to show Christian hospitality I have been guilty of thinking of my own schedule or convenience as opposed to the comfort and need of others. I have not wanted to spontaneously invite people to dine with us because my house wasn’t all in order, or the meal I had prepared wasn’t very fancy, or I had “other things to do.” What better example of Christian love could there be to the unsaved around us than if we look after His children before our own desires!
[Related: Here are some meditations that can help us to overcome our own limitations and concerns.]
I found this anonymous poem in my files. Although I do not know who wrote it, it scripturally defines what Christian hospitality should be. It challenges me to practice hospitality as the Lord defines it for us in His Word. I pray that God will help each of us to heed the Scriptures and show our hospitality “as unto the Lord.”
Please allow us to take you into our home[1]
We trust you will find a Christian reception here,
and a hallowed haven of rest
from an indifferent world.
Let all your wants lie upon us[2], and allow us the privilege
of prevailing upon you with what kindnesses
we are able to offer.
If we are found entertaining angels from heaven[3],
may you marvel at our joy in redemption. [4]
If we are brothers because we name
the same heavenly Father,
then rest certain that our hospitality is to Jesus.[5]
We do it not for reward, (Matthew 10:42) but love.[6]
[1] (Judges 19:15)
[2] (Judges 19:20)
[3] (Hebrews 13:5)
[4] (1 Peter 1:10)
[5] (Matthew 25: 41ff)
[6] (Matthew 25)
Suggested Reading:
“To the early Christians, hospitality was central to the gospel mission. This hospitality did not consist of entertaining neighbors, but welcoming the stranger, especially those who could not return the favor. Yet despite urgent need, hospitality has fallen by the wayside…. Pragmatic and thoughtful, Pohl deals frankly with both the blessings and the boundaries of hospitality. Readers will find a wealth of wisdom to revive authentic hospitality in their ministry.” (Amazon description)
“Tim Chester brings to light God’s purposes in the seemingly ordinary act of sharing a meal―how this everyday experience is really an opportunity for grace, community, and mission. Chester challenges contemporary understandings of hospitality as he urges us to evaluate why and who we invite to our table.” (Amazon description)
“With the story of her conversion as a backdrop, Rosaria Butterfield invites us into her home to show us how God can use this same ‘radical, ordinary hospitality’ to bring the gospel to our lost friends and neighbors. Such hospitality sees our homes as not our own, but as God’s tools for the furtherance of his kingdom.” (Amazon description)
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