Hospitality or Entertaining?

When I say the word “hospitality,” what comes to mind?  Hosting get-togethers for family and friends with lavish meals and festive activities?  The modern-day hospitality industry of all-inclusive resorts, fine cuisine restaurants, and extraordinary modes of transportation?  When we look at scripture, we see a completely different picture.  Or do we?  Before we begin navigating scripture to identify biblical hospitality, we first need to get a baseline understanding of what it is. 

The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines hospitality as “to entertain or receive a stranger (sojourner) into one’s home as an honored guest and provide the guest with food, shelter, and protection.”  It describes hospitality as “a sacred duty that everyone was expected to observe.”  Our earliest ancestors were a nomadic people.  They relied upon the generosity of others in their travels, because there were no formal lodging establishments.  Hospitality was a demonstration of Philippians 2:4, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Let’s now take a look at the biblical text for additional insight.  Hebrews 13:2 states “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”  This verse uses both “hospitality” and “entertained,” suggesting that there is a difference between the two terms, yet they can coexist.  The New Testament scriptures were translated from the Greek language.  The Greek word used for “hospitality” in this verse is philoxenia. It literally means “love to a foreigner or stranger.”  The Greek word for “have entertained” is xenisantes.  It comes from the word xenizo meaning “receiving someone as a guest,” “to lodge or reside with” or “providing amusement.”  While there is no singular word used for hospitality in The Hebrew Scriptures, this ancient Hebrew practice reveals itself throughout the Bible.  There are numerous scriptures that depict hospitality as ministering to the poor and less fortunate.  For example, Deuteronomy 15:11 “For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’”  Most people would agree that biblical hospitality is a beautiful expression of provision, sacrifice, generosity and building relationships.  It is rooted in God’s character.  It acts in tandem with the selfless heart of a servant.  Still, it is so much more than that. While it is clear the foundational principles of hospitality were built upon a sacred custom of providing for the needs of travelers, the cultural expression went above and beyond a simple handout.  Our word study text Hebrews 13:2 is actually a reference back to Genesis 18 where Abraham hosted 3 passing strangers that turned out to be angels unbeknownst to him.  Abraham did not offer just any meal.  He told Sarah and his servants to provide the finest bread, beef, butter, and milk he had.  In addition, he offered the shade of his tree and water for them to wash their feet.  In Acts 2:46-47 we get a different perspective.  “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”  The "breaking of bread in their homes" is not a scene of charity.  This is a picture of like-minded believers sharing a meal in celebration and fellowshipping together with joy.  The idea of biblical entertaining is even more evident in Leviticus chapter 23 and Deuteronomy 16 where the Feasts of the Lord are outlined.  These are no ordinary meals.  These are commanded memorials and celebrations with the expectation of presenting your finest meals and offerings in an atmosphere of highest reverence.  In speaking of the Feast of Passover in Exodus 12:4, we see a blending of altruistic hospitality and festive entertaining regarding sharing of the lamb that is required for the feast.  “And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb.  These are just a few examples to widen our lens of what hospitality and entertaining embody when we look at them from a biblical perspective.

So, what about today?  Have you recognized the characteristics of biblical hospitality or entertaining in the world around you?  While it is true we continue to witness the decline of hospitality being demonstrated in our culture the way they did in biblical times, there is some evidence that the God-given inclination to serve others is still alive, longing to fulfill its purpose.  The most obvious would be the various charitable organizations around the world serving those in need.  But what about the less obvious?  What about today’s hospitality industry as I first posed at the opening of this discussion?  One might think that when we look at today’s hospitality industry it is purely self-serving and an engagement of overindulgence.  After all, every market is continually pushing the envelope to provide something new, bigger, or better.  I would pose to you that we see a glimpse of it in the lodging sector.  Consider how there is a growing demand for private short-term rentals over the big business model of hotels and resorts.  People are opening their homes to complete strangers, providing gracious amenities and personal touches to improve the travelers’ quality of stay.  It is experiences such as this that carries a small taste of the spirit of biblical hospitality.  Those who have not even come into the faith are in a way demonstrating a part of Hebrews 13:2.

If we are careful not to put God in a box, we will discover hints of hospitality and entertaining in unexpected places as we journey through the Bible.  The true spirit of biblical hospitality and entertaining will be determined by the motivation of the heart.  Like everything else in our faith, it all comes down to a heart issue.  Our motivation for hospitality should be rooted in an act of selflessness and love.  It must reflect the character of The Most High God.