Hospitality is a beautiful calling, but sometimes the reality of our lives looks very different from the picture we have in our minds. We might feel like our circumstances create barriers to offering the kind of welcome we long to extend. What if biblical hospitality is simply about welcoming others as Christ has welcomed us? Many barriers to hospitality can be overcome by embracing the gospel and looking to Jesus as our example.
Here are several common concerns about hospitality, along with scriptural meditations that will help us in overcoming them.
Concerns about family & household dynamics
1. I have several small children.
Biblical Meditation: Jesus said, “Let the children come unto me.” Don’t feel like hospitality is limited to adults. Do you know any children who need care? Do you know moms who need encouragement? Open your home periodically for a time of hospitality for children and moms. These might be considered simply ‘play dates’ by some, but they can be vibrant centres for hospitality and care for the little ones that Christ loves.”
Verse: Matthew 19:14 “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
2. My spouse isn’t on board.
Biblical Meditation: Honor your spouse and pray. Live out love and kindness within your household first. Look for small ways to care for others that won’t cause conflict in your marriage. Christ notices even a cup of water given in His name.
Verse: 1 Peter 3:1 “Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives.”
3. My house is too small.
Biblical Meditation: Remember that Jesus was born in a stable! God often uses small, humble spaces to His work. Our hospitality doesn’t require that we host large crowds. It means making room.
Verse: Luke 2:7 “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
4. I’m too busy with family needs.
Biblical Meditation: There are certainly seasons of greater hospitality and those of lesser hospitality. It isn’t about doing everything, but about starting and growing in our service to God.
Verse: Romans 12:13 “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
Concerns about limited finances or time
5. I don’t have enough money.
Biblical Meditation: Hospitality doesn’t require wealth—but it does require welcome. Just as Jesus praised the widow’s small offering, He will understand the value of whatever we sacrifice, and He will make our investments count.
Verse: Proverbs 19:17 “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.”
6. I don’t have time or energy to cook.
Biblical Meditation: Hospitality includes presence, not performance. Jesus is our ultimate host, and although He did, on occasion, miraculously provide food for people, His style of hosting never involved cooking a feast. Consider potlucks or simply conversation over tea. Hospitality is welcoming and caring for others, not merely cooking.
Verse: Matthew 25:37-40 “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’“
7. I’m a caregiver.
Biblical Meditation: Caring for others is hospitality. Invite people into your caregiving rhythm and help them to join you in your hospitality. Mentor a sister in Christ by showing her the value of caring for others.
Verse: Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
8. I’m a student.
Biblical Meditation: God will reveal those you can serve in your church or even at school. Invite people to meet you for coffee or a walk. Student life has many opportunities to reflect Jesus’ welcome–ask God to show you the people who need care.
Verse: 1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
Fears & anxieties
9. I’m afraid of rejection.
Biblical Meditation: Jesus was rejected so that we can live free from fear. We can serve Him in confidence because our value is secure in Him.
Verse: Isaiah 53:3 “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”
10. I’m afraid of being taken advantage of.
Biblical Meditation: Jesus was taken advantage of so that we could know God’s welcome. We can use wisdom and guidance from our church to make decisions about how to show hospitality, but we shouldn’t be overcome by fear.
Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
11. I fear awkwardness.
Biblical Meditation: Jesus dined with Pharisees, enemies, sinners, and strangers. Awkwardness may be a natural part of hospitality, but we can follow Christ’s example and overcome it with grace.
Verse: Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
12. I feel pressure to have everything perfect.
Biblical Meditation: Jesus recognized Martha’s effort but praised Mary’s heart. Presence matters more than presentation.
Verse: Luke 10:41-42 “But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion…’”
Uncertainty about how to begin
13. I don’t know who to invite.
Biblical Meditation: Jesus went to the highways and byways to invite anyone willing to come. Start with who is already in your path.
Verse: Luke 14:23 “And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.’”
14. I feel socially awkward. I’m not good at conversation.
Biblical Meditation: Jesus chose fishermen, tax collectors, and outcasts. You don’t need polish to be powerful in His love. Jesus often asked questions and listened. Love often listens more than it speaks.
Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:26-30 “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.”
15. I’m from a different culture or background.
Biblical Meditation: Heaven is a diverse family. Your cultural expression of hospitality reflects God’s glory. Jesus crossed every barrier to love us. The unity He brings about through the gospel is deeper than background.
Verse: Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
16. I don’t think I’m gifted in this area. I’ve never seen it modeled.
Biblical Meditation: Jesus is the ultimate model. Begin by looking at His life and following His example in small ways.
Verse: Romans 15:2-7 “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself . . . . Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”
17. I don’t know what hospitality really is.
Biblical Meditation: Biblical hospitality means loving and caring for strangers and creating space for others to be seen, known, and cared for.
Verse: Matthew 25:35; Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers…”
Want to know more?
There are many excellent resources to help us understand biblical hospitality and inspire us with possibilities. If you need help to figure out where to start, here are five resources that are a great place to start!
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)
Related Articles:
**This post contains affiliate links, meaning that—at no cost to you—I may receive a commission on qualifying purchases if you link through this site. Thank you for your support of my writing!**
