“Please let a little water be brought [by one of my servants] and [you may] wash your feet, and recline and rest comfortably under the tree. And I will bring a piece of bread to refresh and sustain you; after that you may go on, since you have come to your servant.” And they replied, “Do as you have said.” – Genesis 18:4-5 (AMP)

Abraham was a man who exemplified a lot of principles meant for the life of the believer which would later be taught by Jesus and even expounded on by the Apostles in their writings. He lived in such a way that, through him, examples were taken for everyday lifestyle of anyone who would live for God. Abraham was a man who walked with God and understood what it means to entertain people and accommodate them. He was also a stranger in a land not his own and so he understood hospitality.

On a lovely afternoon, three men stood close by him and he went to meet them. Now, further studies suggest that he knew these men were angels and one of them was even the Lord in the appearance of man but let’s first consider that they were just men. Abraham saw these men and without knowing them from anywhere, he stood up to welcome them and to entertain them. First, his show of concern for the tiredness from their journey is a show of love.

Naturally, these men were supposed to be strangers to Abraham but he didn’t treat them like one, he treated them like he had known them and readily opened his doors to them for their comfortability. Anyhow or anywhere, there will always be strangers you will meet or that will come around you for a purpose. The believer is one who must be willing to be hospitable and treat men with dignity.

In the culture of the day, when a special guest visits you in the house, your servants are saddled with the responsibility of getting a basin of water to wash his feet because of dust and also use towel to wipe it clean and this was what Abraham suggested as he welcomed them. Also, he gave them a place with shed from the hot afternoon sun to stay and rest their heads. And to cap it all, he told his wife to make ready a sumptuous meal for them.

Being hospitable is not limited to giving food to strangers. Whatever will make those in need or even strangers to be comfortable are what you should make available according to your capacity. Abraham was a wealthy man and he had more than enough to eat and spare and even if he wasn’t that wealthy, it was first about the heart.

The reason many believers today are not hospitable or welcoming is not because they didn’t have but because they have no heart for such. You must consider all that you have, no matter how little as God’s resources to you and one of the ways you can show appreciation for it is that you give to others who are in need. Learn to be generous and hospitable. Be a Christian whose heart is compassionate towards others.

Reflections: Do I have a compassionate heart? Am I hospitable? In the last few years of my life, how did I treat people who looked to me for comfortability? How did I respond to the need of strangers?

Confession: I am the salt of the earth and I bring sweetness and meaning to the lives of many around me. I do not lose my worth nor do I lose my relevance. I have resources to give and much more, I have the heart to do so.

Related Scripture: Genesis 18:1-8

Bible Reading: John 9