HOSPITALITY

A man who is 'hospitable' will give practical help to anyone in need, friend or stranger, believer or unbeliever. He freely offers his time, his resources, and his encouragement. 

The Word of God exhorts us to be generous toward all who cross our path ... Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Hebrews 13:2

Spurgeon - Abraham did so, and Lot did so; they thought they were entertaining ordinary strangers, and they washed their feet; and prepared their food but it turned out that they had entertained angels. Some people will never entertain angels unawares, for they never entertain anybody. 

Biblical hospitality is not exhibited only by what we do for those we know and love ... but by selfless acts of kindness toward an outsider (arising from a deep spiritual concern for his welfare).

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

When Jesus returns, the main criteria on which He will judge the Gentiles is whether or not they exhibited hospitality. Matthew's gospel mentions Christ's interaction with the faithful on that day ...

For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. 

Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You drink? 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 'And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 

And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' 

Man is conditioned to look out for his own interests above all else. As a believer, you are called to model selflessness before a lost and dying world. Hospitality displays powerful evidence that your life is hidden in Christ ...

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples; if ye have love one to another. John 13:35

Those who have a heart for God ... will have a heart for people.