Hospitallity, a lost art?,Hebrews 13:16, 12.10.10

 Praise the LORD!!!


    Some of you may of caught my tweets earlier this morning, but for those that haven't, I'll fill you in on what the LORD has laid on my heart this day. A little background on what brought this about first. Yesterday, while working here at the apartments, I had to install a vinyl floor in a bathroom. For years my knees have been bad, due to my years of racing motocross and working on them. I've had my right knee bandaged for the last several weeks and yesterday was no different. I ended up spending the best part of five hours on my knees, crawling around on a concrete floor. This morning, it's slow going and I've called in for the day.


   I was led to re-post my article "A Modern Day Parable," which appears to be the predecessor to this post! On my walk from Ohio to Texas, the first attempt, my left knee went completely out after making it almost all the way across Kentucky. During this long walk, starting off the day before Easter '09', I passed many a church. For the most part I was walking on secondary roads, avoiding major traffic routes, to stay within the bounds of the laws. Of all the churches that I happen to pass, only at one, was any attention paid to a man with a backpack. This was Easter morning and my dog and I were both invited in for breakfast and a service. Yes, Maryanne, my sixty pound wolf-shepherd cross attended service in the chapel too:)

    "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."                                                                                                                                 Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)


   Hospitality is truly a main topic in the Bible, in both the old and new testaments, for it is our showing GOD's love for us to other people around us. With that which GOD has blessed us, we're to bless others that happen along our paths! Now you could do a search on the word itself and not come up with to many hits, but it is hidden in underlying context many times. Generosity, kindness, sharing, even love(charity) could give you a better view of this topic. For all throughout the Bible, GOD instructs us to reach out and help those around us, whether in need or not. The second great commandment is a prime example: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ( Matt. 22:39, Lev. 19:18 ) Now, I don't know about you, but I don't think GOD could be much clearer on this topic than in these verses!!!

   With this being the Advent season, that we celebrate the birth of our SAVIOR, we're being hammered with endless hours of commercials. They're everywhere. The underlying goal of most of these is to profit money through them and not the act of "loving your neighbor as yourself." What else can we expect from a world gone mad over money and self profiteering? The problem is though, that many Christians are falling into this age old trap. Yes, it is a trap. For we're being led to give, inorder to receive something in return! What has happened to Christianity and the church, were our prime example has been traded off for a counterfeit? Where we're led to give joyfully, so others may profit and we, in like manor, also receive back? 

   Yes, the Bible does say that when we give, we shall receive back in like manor(Luke 6:38), but this isn't to be our reason for giving. The reason we're to give is because GOD gave us this example in the first place, HE gave us life from the dust, asking for nothing in return, but our fellowship! Then again, upon the cross, HE gives us even more, forgiveness of our sins and eternal life! As in the first case, HE only ask for our fellowship in return. Do you see a pattern evolving here? One of giving, for the express purpose of showing your love for another of GOD's created beings? No matter the wording used; love/charity, generosity, sharing, kindness or hospitality, they all revolve around our showing the love GOD has shown us, by our open and un-repaid  giving.This is not a suggestion or something we're urged to do occasionally, but a commandment that we should practice continuously!!! Always giving freely and never expecting anything in return!!!  

 

Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org 

GOD bless and good day,

Rev. Marshall Barth

Vine of CHRIST Ministries

Vine Ministerial Network International