salt-shaker.blog

I heard something this week that resonated. Sorry I cannot give credit to who said it, but their thought is that the church has replaced hospitality with service. That has been rolling around in my mind, and I think the reality of that statement explains some of the blandness of the modern church. Christianity spread like wildfire in the first century in a corrupt empire with possibly worse societal immorality than ours. Political posturing was not a thing – in fact Christians were burned alive as torches, lighting the Appian Way to deflect Nero’s blame in the fires of Rome. Despite horrendous persecution danger and disdain there was an extravagant generosity of heart that could not be ignored. They, like Paul, did not count their lives dear unto themselves. They embraced the hospitality offered by the Gospel – the message of radical love despite their enmity and idolatry – and it showed in their fervent devotion to their Savior. Gospel hospitality marked their lives like it had their Master’s. No respect for status (a departure from embedded cultural values), a selfless care for those deemed worthless, and a conviction of their new life source propelled vulnerable engagement.  This was the foundation for Christian community. 

One might say that service is the upshot of that mindset. True. But hospitality has more of a personal aspect to it. Care as well as responsibility. Hospitality expresses an open heart, reflecting the heart of a welcoming God. Jesus’ path is drenched with hospitality in its purest expression. He touched the untouchable, ate with the disgusting, hosted a dinner at the most difficult time of His life. He was concerned for others at HIs own expense. Yes, hospitality costs. It is not always convenient or comfortable. Now we look at it as optional, we enlightened westerners. Not so the culture of the Middle East and other countries. It is seen as a spiritual act of respect. It is the vulnerability of welcoming a stranger, an outsider, an “other” into our world.

It is a wonder that with so much Scripture devoted to this topic we do not hear ministry about it more often. This lack allows us to be shaped by our individualistic autonomous mindset rather than the heart of the Gospel. In my search for a church over several years, I can count on one hand how many times I was invited to someone’s home – and I will have fingers left. This is a sad commentary on modern church response to Jesus’ example that oozes invitation and connection.  We have corralled it into optional programs. 

Think about how the Scriptures portray welcoming generosity. To us, the Old Testament is over the top about receiving travelers – some strange stories there. But Abraham feeding the three strangers reminds us of He 13:1-3 “Never let your brotherly love fail, nor refuse to extend your hospitality to strangers—sometimes men have entertained angels unawares…” It is noteworthy that one of the qualifications of leadership in the church is hospitality. For a widow to be put on the list she must show hospitality. Romans 12:13:  “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” (my emphasis) Not only that, but 1 Peter 4:9 says to do it without grumbling. In Matthew 25 Jesus comes as a stranger to be welcomed or ignored with significant consequences.

 Generous care for God’s people and neighbors in both the narrow and broad sense is a clear teaching of our faith. It is not listed as spiritual gifting but as spiritual exercise for every one who follows Christ. He promises to “make all grace abound towards us” as we pursue Gospel hospitality – whether it is comfortable or a stretch. And He takes notice.“Your generosity is like a lovely fragrance, a sacrifice that pleases the very heart of God. My God will supply all that you need from his glorious resources in Christ Jesus. And may glory be to our God and our Father for ever and ever, amen!”  Paul  It is part of being salt and light.

Shalom

PS – Here is a little handful on purpose from Steve Herrmann (Substack – Desert & Fire): “You are the salt. A grain of earth. A small harshness against blandness. Salt is there to lose itself. It melts into the meat until there is nothing left but flavor. To be pure and separate is its curse, white and perfect in its jar, and of no use to the hungry. So it is with those He calls. Faith is not a decoration but a substance, rubbed into the sores of the world, spent against its decay. You are the grit that holds all in place so that nothing slides into a polite and silent rot. You are not meant to be admired. You are to be tasted and then forgotten.”