Tests of Faith - Pt 8

And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate. (Genesis 18:1-8 ESV). People can be such an inconvenience! Yet the Scripture encourages us to be hospitable toward everyone. In our text today Abraham is tested by entertaining angels unaware of who they really were. Often when we talk about hospitality, we think of “entertaining.” But entertaining has little to do with real hospitality if the goal is to impress others rather than to serve. How do you know if you are being hospitable or just entertaining? Some years ago I was called on to do a wedding in Waco, Texas. John Woods was the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Waco, where the ceremony was to be held. Until then we had not met one another. Prior to the wedding date he called and asked if I had already made arrangements for the night’s stay between the rehearsal and the ceremony. I hadn’t and he graciously insisted that I stay in his home. Both Mary and I were warmly welcomed and treated with great kindness when we arrived. His schedule did not allow him to spend much time visiting with us, though he made certain we had everything we could possibly need. In fact, the morning of the wedding we awoke to a quiet noise outside our door. Finding it a bit unusual, I cracked the door open and looked down and saw a tray of pastries, fresh fruit, juice and coffee on a tray prepared for us. He included a little note with a poem written for our encouragement. Of course, I was impressed; however, it was from the thoughtfulness not the actions. We were strangers in his home and he treated us like old friends. That’s how true hospitality works. It is sacrificial, uncomfortable, and does not seek to impress others. Hospitality flows from a hospitable heart. It is more about your open heart and home, not your impressive entertaining skills. Let me make a few suggestions. Biblical hospitality is to be practiced without grumbling, complaining or thought of reward; literally, it is “a love for strangers”, treating fellow believers, widows, orphans, unbelievers, the poor and needy, missionaries, foreigners, immigrants, refugees, and even enemies as if they were your very own family; it is helping the poor with no expectation of repayment; and, simply meeting the basic needs of others. I wonder, have you entertained any angels unaware? Jesus said we all do, because if we do it to the least of them, we do it to Him! That’s a test I pray I do much better with than I have!