I took a job three months ago to lead a hospitality program at a company. My bedside table has been full of books written by leaders in other workspaces. I have listened to podcasts, read business articles, and to be honest – even had dreams about hospitality. It goes without saying that nothing has occupied my head space more than all things hospitality.
What is hospitality?
Why does it matter?
What does it look like?
How do we do it?
With a mind full of million different perspectives, my mind started to feel like clutter filling that closet in the back of your house. It was there but the overload made it hard to sort through anything. I had to pause. Take a deep breath and a step back from what everyone else thought about hospitality and ask myself, “what is it to you?” Not to say that we can’t glean insights from others but that there is such importance in having a stance for yourself.
In the quiet of the morning after a long four-day work conference, no books, no outside voices, there was space for God to speak:
Selfishness is the antithesis of hospitality.
I firmly believe that there is no one greater that we learn about hospitality from than Jesus Himself.
“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:8
Jesus is the epitome of humility and has offered us each the greatest chance to experience hospitality that will ever be.
Hospitality in scripture is approximated from the greek word philoxenia which means “love of a stranger.” It is this beautiful picture of Christ before the foundation of the world anticipating the needs we would have – to be reconciled to God. And making a way for it to happen. This is what Christ did for us. This is the gospel. This is what we are the recipients of. This is Christ’s hospitality towards us.
“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” Colossians 1:21-23
Humility and Hospitality.
I truly believe that humility is the only thing that will drive us to live a lifestyle of hospitality. In a day in age where “self” is the headline – there will be no other way to truly desire to care for those around us if we don’t shift from a posture of “what can I get” to “what can I give.”
That leaves the million-dollar question: How do we get a world often so focused on “self” to choose humility?
To be honest, I don’t know the answer to that question but I’ll gladly spend my days trying to influence it. But what I do know is that the people of God should be leading the way with humility and hospitality. Here is a glimpse into what I have been learning from scripture about hospitality.
Biblical principles drive Hospitality.
1. Significance in Service
44 million dollars worth of blue checks on Instagram were bought in a day for people to be verified. This tell us that people want to feel significant. The culture we live in wants to feel significant but it also teaches you the way to be great is for all eyes to be on you. Yet God tells us there is so much significance in serving. Serving is not the least we can do but the best thing we can do. God will sanctify us by putting us in sacrificial posture of service to others.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” 1 Peter 4:10-11
2. Awareness to Action
There isn’t a one size fits all to hospitality. The key is to see. Once you see, you act, and when you act, you meet a need. Look at the situation first. Then decide the action. See people. These moments will only happen as often as you look for them.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4
3. Respect in Responses
As my mother has always said, “it is not what you say, it is how you say it”. We can’t control much in this world, but we can control how we respond. And we can respond in such a way that shows respect.
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone…” Galatians 6:10
4. Purpose over Positions
There is not “he/she is the hospitality person.” As the people of God, we are called to “practice hospitality” (1 Peter 4:9) It is a call to action, not a suggestion. It is an act of obedience to what we see in scripture. We must do away with “she is the hospitality person” and understand that we are all called to this for the greater purpose of those around us seeing and encountering the ways of Jesus.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
I know that not every person in the hospitality industry will look to Jesus for insight. I know that not every person who shows hospitality will even be someone who believes in Jesus. I am aware of the different perspectives and beliefs in this. However, if you are a follower of Jesus – I pray whatever workspace you are in that you are leading the charge. The Church should be the most humble and hospitable people on the planet.
At the end of the day, Jesus follower or not – nobody will discount the value in humanity caring for one another.
So what do you say?
Let’s all try to take better care of one another.