Chapter 72—Hospitality
Angels May Be Entertained Today—The Bible lays much stress
upon the practice of hospitality. Not only does it enjoin hospitality as
a duty, but it presents many beautiful pictures of the exercise of this
grace and the blessings which it brings. Foremost among these is the
experience of Abraham....
These acts of courtesy God thought of sufficient importance to
record in His word; and more than a thousand years later they were re-
ferred to by an inspired apostle: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:
for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
The privilege granted Abraham and Lot is not denied to us. By
showing hospitality to God’s children we, too, may receive His angels
into our dwellings. Even in our day angels in human form enter the
homes of men and are entertained by them. And Christians who live
in the light of God’s countenance are always accompanied by unseen
angels, and these holy beings leave behind them a blessing in our
homes
Neglected Opportunities and Privileges—“A lover of hospital-
ity” is among the specifications given by the Holy Spirit as marking
one who is to bear responsibility in the church. And to the whole
church is given the injunction: “Use hospitality one to another without
grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the
same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
These admonitions have been strangely neglected. Even among
those who profess to be Christians true hospitality is little exercised.
[446]
Among our own people the opportunity of showing hospitality is not
regarded as it should be, as a privilege and blessing. There is altogether
too little sociability, too little of a disposition to make room for two or
three more at the family board without embarrassment or parade
Inadequate Excuses—I have heard many excuse themselves from
inviting to their homes and hearts the saints of God: “Why, I have
1
Testimonies For The Church 6, 341, 342
.
2
Ibid., 6:342, 343
.
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