Who Are You Helping?

I spoke with a husband/wife team last week who are both pastors.  They moved into a new area for them and they started out by telling me how nice the new churches had been.  Their comment was, “We haven’t had to cook for three weeks!” They were overjoyed.

Many churches have a team of people who help take care of members when they are sick.  This committee does everything from cooking for them to mowing the lawn.  Our text today says, “Practice hospitality”.  Are you part of a hospitality team?

In I Peter, the apostle was writing a letter to be circulated among the first-century churches in what’s now Turkey. In I Peter 4:10-11, Peter mentions the value of spiritual gifts, a topic Paul discusses more fully in Romans 12:4-8 and I Corinthians 12-14. The main feature of I Corinthians 12, is that it provides the primary purpose of gifts.  Vs. 7 says. “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”  Our gifts aren’t for us, they’re for each other!  When all the members of the body are using their gifts, all members of the body are being served well. “Practice hospitality,” Peter said, “Love each other deeply… offer hospitality,” and he told them to use the gifts God gave them to “serve others” (I Peter 4:8-10) These are clear directions to all believers in Jesus for how we are to treat fellow believers.

All of us know people who need help. Who is God calling you to help today?

Prayer – Loving God, help me to search for people who need an encouraging word or action from me.  Then help me to offer hospitality to them.  Amen.

Romans 12:13 – Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.

Author: Tommy Herndon