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“Creating Hospitality in Our Church”

(Stewardship Month #3)

I want to start with something funny that I found on an internet site: A man died and went to heaven. He is at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter, who led him down the golden streets. They walk by mansions and beautiful estates until they came to the end of the road where they stopped in front of a little shack. The man asked St. Peter why he got a simple hut when there were so many mansions where he would be more comfortable. St. Peter replied, “I did the best with the money you sent us.”

It’s a funny story, but it reminds me of the scripture verses, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20-21).

We observe February as Stewardship Month. Today, I want to talk about how we create hospitality in our church. You might wonder, “How is hospitality connected to stewardship?” I found the meaning of hospitality from a dictionary, which states, “Hospitality refers to the development of the relationship between the guest and the host. It also refers to acts or practices of hospitality, such as entertaining and pleasing guests, visitors, and strangers generously and favorably.” (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). Hospitality also involves generously paying attention to someone in need or performing acts of kindness. In other words, hospitality is the ability to create a space where guests can discover their souls, feeling safe and comfortable.

As God’s stewards, we serve as hosts/hostesses in the house of God, which is the body of Christ, as God has entrusted us with the church and its ministries. Therefore, we should strive to create a space where people feel safe, comfortable, and satisfied. Hospitality involves developing, practicing, and acting with generosity and kindness.

In today’s scripture, Abraham welcomed strangers who visited his home. In Israelite society, lacking stores or restaurants, hospitality was crucial for travelers seeking respite, particularly in the hot desert climate where rest was necessary during the midday heat. Abraham, like others, likely took a rest under his tent when he noticed the strangers approaching. He hastened to greet them, bowing down and addressing them respectfully, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.” Though unaware they were divine beings, Abraham’s hospitality stemmed from his habitual practice, not merely because he recognized them as God or angels. His use of “my Lord,” and “your servant” reflected profound respect rather than divine recognition, revealing his character shaped by everyday hospitality. The Letter of Hebrews underscores this virtue: “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2), alluding to Abraham’s experience.

Jesus also emphasized hospitality, stating, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward” (Matthew 10:40;42). In Israelite society, offering a cup of water to a stranger was considered a significant act of hospitality. Similarly, Abraham didn’t just provide water and food to the strangers, but he also created a safe and comfortable space for them to rest their bodies and souls, saying, “Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on —since you have come to your servant.” The entire household of Abraham joined in serving the strangers, demonstrating a unified commitment to hospitality. Creating a hospitable environment in a household requires collective effort, and the same applies to our church community. It is through the combined efforts of all members that we can foster hospitality within our church.

Upon returning to Korea just before coming to the USA, I served as a student pastor. In preparation for my journey to the USA, I needed to save money. I worked at the church on weekends (both Saturdays and Sundays) and also worked as a home-schooling tutor for several youth who lived in different cities during the week. I would drive to visit these youth, traveling long distances to teach them. For instance, my schedule included visits to Minneapolis on Mondays, Madison Tuesdays, Duluth on Wednesdays, and Superior on Thursdays. Despite the miles I traveled, I was consistently welcomed by those I visited. They graciously provided food and a place for me to rest before my journey back home. While I did not intentionally seek out these places, I believe God guided me to encounter individuals who exhibited genuine hospitality. Their kindness during times of need left a lasting impression on me. I continue to pray for them and stay connected, seeking opportunities to pay forward the love and care they showed me. During that period, I often reflected and shared with others that God had provided a “widow of Zarephath” at every place I visited, individuals who extended to me their warm hospitality.

We are familiar with the story of the widow of Zarephath, who served the great prophet Elijah. Zarephath was a city devoted to Baal worship, where serving God seemed unlikely. When the prophet Elijah fled from the prophets of Baal, God instructed him to go to Zarephath and stay there. Obedient to God’s command, Elijah journeyed to Zarephath and encountered a widow gathering sticks. He politely asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a jar so that I may have a drink?”

As mentioned earlier, offering a stranger a cup of water was considered a sign of excellent hospitality in Israeli society. However, this wasn’t always the case. Some individuals faced challenges in extending hospitality to strangers. Consider the widow whom Elijah encountered. She was gathering sticks, likely to prepare a meal. This circumstance suggests she was a poor widow; had she been married, her husband might have collected the sticks, or if she was wealthy, servants would have done so. Despite her impoverished state, the widow demonstrated kindness by offering Elijah, a stranger, a cup of water. After drinking the water, Elijah asked for bread, saying, “please bring me a piece of bread” (1 Kings 17:11). The widow replied, “As surly as the Lord your God lives, I don’t have any bread-only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it-and die” (1 Kings 17:12). Elijah reassured her, saying, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for you and your son.”

As I read up to this point, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy about how Elijah asked the widow for bread. Put yourself in her shoes-how would you react? Despite the difficulty of her situation, she complied with his request. And you know what? She was blessed abundantly by God’s grace; her flour and oil never ran out. Elijah didn’t just take her bread; he asked for her blessing. Remember what Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). God has entrusted us with everything, including the church. As the household of God, it’s our responsibility to cultivate hospitality within our church. Everyone who comes to our church is our guest, and it’s our duty to serve them with genuine hospitality, which is made possible by God’s grace working through all of us. Let’s strive to make our church a safe, comfortable, and joyful place for everyone. Thanks be to God. Amen!

 

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