Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. – 1 Peter 4:9
Peter exhorts his readers to show hospitality to one another without grumbling. There can be a cost to showing hospitality, in time, money, and patience! Yet the ability to give and help one another is a great blessing. The “without grumbling” part speaks of your attitude and inner character. Inviting someone into your home and being gracious about it is what the Lord smiles upon.
Not only are believers to show hospitality to one another but to strangers as well. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” This implies that strangers in need around you can actually be angels.
In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus describes a scene at the time of judgment. He reveals that those who are kind to others have been kind to Him and those who have ignored the needs of others have ignored Him. Seek God’s wisdom in giving to strangers so that you avoid supporting others’ bad habits, thievery, or inviting someone into your life who could harm you or your family.
Pray for discernment and balance as you show hospitality to others, first to those of faith and then to others who the Lord may put in your path. Ask God to help you have an attitude that pleases Him. Pray for church members to grow in the area of showing hospitality to one another and to all of those in need. Pray for wisdom for government officials in their dealings with policies concerning those who are needy.
Today’s Verse: 1 Peter 4:9
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-17, 20-21
Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”
7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
