When someone mentions the phrase “biblical hospitality” what is your first thought? Do you immediately panic at the thought of a never ending to-do list? Can you just imagine the stress of trying to create the picture perfect setting? What about all the extra cooking and cleaning that you’ll have to fit into your already busy schedule?
What if I told you it doesn’t have to be a stressful, time consuming experience? Let me share with you some tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years and hopefully you will find that it is actually something you might enjoy.
What is biblical hospitality?
The dictionary.com definition of hospitality is, in part, “the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers”. While I don’t think there is a technical definition of biblical hospitality, there are a few scriptures that speak about it.
1 Peter 4:9 says “Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay”.
“Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it”- Hebrews 13:2
Romans 12:13 says “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality”.
These are only a few of the many verses about hospitality you’ll find throughout the Bible. I think its safe to say that if hospitality is important to God, it should be important to us as well. Does that mean we have to constantly have a stream of people in and out of our homes to consider ourselves hospitable?
Of course not. I believe hospitality is an attitude of the heart more than it is physically opening our homes. Although it is a combination of the two.
The heart of biblical hospitality
Inviting a friend over for coffee. Having a dinner party with a few coworkers. Taking food to a new mom or recent widow. Sharing the Gospel with an unchurched loved one or stranger.
These are all ways we show our heart of biblical hospitality. It isn’t always about fancy spreads of food, an immaculately cleaned house, or hours of preparation. Although, sometimes it is, if that’s what you prefer.
I am naturally happier in the kitchen. Cooking, cleaning, preparing, serving, its what I love to do. I have always said hospitality is my happy place. Here are a few of my tips for keeping things simple and fuss free when opening your home, and your heart, to those you love.
Tips for preparing your home
- Don’t expect perfection. Your guests are there to spend quality time with you, not focus on whether or not your house looks like a museum. Tidy up, vacuum, and declutter. Don’t worry about your house looking lived in. It should look like people live there, not like its being posed for a magazine cover. People see right through that and then feel guilty that they made you go to extremes for their visit.
- Focus on the rooms that they will see. If you are having guests for dinner, focus on the kitchen, dining room and bathrooms. No one will be checking to see if the kids rooms are picked up or if you have a pile of laundry in the basement. Save that for another day. It’s not important right now.
- Make sure the sidewalk and front porch are clean and clutter free. You don’t want visitors tripping over each others shoes when they come in, or stepping on something you left outside.
Simple fuss free food
As a chef I enjoy cooking big, fancy meals sometimes. Other times, I have a potluck so others can contribute as well. If you want something in between, keep it simple and fuss free. Again, your guests are there for you, not to see how well you can cook. Here are some shortcuts to fabulously easy foods.
- Don’t be afraid to buy heat and serve meal trays. I don’t mean a 99 cent box of frozen chicken nuggets. But I have had some really good macaroni and cheese trays from the frozen section of the grocery store, and they can always be doctored up by adding ingredients or a crunchy topping.
- If you’re having a friend over for coffee, buy a packaged coffee cake or donuts from the deli. Grab some bagels and cream cheese from a take out restaurant. Or make a loaf of quick bread the night before and it’s ready for your breakfast visitor.
- Don’t underestimate the appeal of fresh fruit trays, vegetables and dip, or individually wrapped snacks. Most people love easy food and that takes little to no time to prepare.
Focus on fellowship
- Remember that opening your home to family and friends is about spending quality time together. Don’t worry about tiny details that most people won’t notice anyway.
- Not all hospitality is hosting people, sometimes its meeting them where they are. Taking a meal to a widow or a sick loved one and showing them you love and appreciate them is just as important.
- Offering to help a new mom with chores so she can sleep a few hours, babysitting for a single mom so she can get some much needed alone time, or just offering a listening ear to someone who is struggling are all ways to show biblical hospitality.
Perspective is key
Whichever way you choose to open your home and your heart to others, remember why you are doing it. Your attitude is the most important part. It should be coming from a place of gratitude, service, friendship and love. Love of others, and love of Jesus. That is true biblical hospitality.