No matter who you are, if you are a God follower, His love can flow through you into the lives of others. We should be ready to give of ourselves and pour into the lives of those who are struggling, meeting needs and caring for them both physically and spiritually.
Because we are called to care for each other spiritually and physically, it is important to pray and ask God to help you to tune in to those around you and to listen for what they may need. Then we will better know how to use the resources that God has given us. Whether it be with money, materials, time, talents, physical health, or intellectual abilities, when we choose to care for, help, serve, and bless another person, we are working on behalf of God!
What Does Scripture Tell Us To Do?
- Galatians 6:2 -Bear one another’s burdens.
- James 2:8 – Love my neighbor as myself.
- Philippians 2:3 – Regard another as more important that myself, look out for the interests of others, and have the attitude of a bond servant, as Jesus did.
- Romans 12:15 – Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.
- James 2:9 – Do not show partiality.
- 1 Peter 5:5 – Clothe myself with humility towards another.
- Matthew 5:44 – Serve even my enemies, and do unto others as I would have them do to me.
Why?
- Caring for others, by giving what you have, reveals the heart of God and is the essence of the Gospel. “God so loved the world that He gave …” John 3:16
- God is love, and those who claim to believe in Him ought to love one another as He has loved us (1 John 4).
- God is the Owner of everything. “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). His desire is that we bless others with what He has given us, and that we be faithful stewards of the abundance He has poured out on us.
- Everything we have and everything we are is a gift from God. “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7) We are called to live in a way that places all of the gifts that we have been given at His disposal.
- According to the Bible, we have a responsibility to give because we have been given much. (Luke 12:48) All that we have is not merely for our own enjoyment, but for the benefit of those around us. (Matthew 10:8).
- God has generously poured out His grace on us. He has been generous. We are called to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1)
- Paul writes to the Corinthians, “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit … and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price.” (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). All that we are, and all that we have, belongs to God.
Be Prepared!
One of my favorite settings in which to practice this care for others is my home. Hospitality is something we are all called to practice; no matter how big or small your home is, it is a place where you can choose to love on others. According to the dictionary, hospitable means to “to treat guests with warmth and generosity.” It comes from the word hospital – a place where the sick and injured go for help. To be healed. We can act as a hospital to those who are struggling when we create a warm and generous atmosphere in our homes.
Because I never know when God is will change my plans and make me aware of someone who needs care, I make it a habit to always have plenty of coffee, a variety of tea, and all the fixings to make these relaxing beverages pretty and taste yummy! I also try to have a few healthy snacks on hand – grapes, chips and salsa, cheese and crackers – and ingredients for a (not quite as healthy!) coffee cake that is easy to throw together and tastes AMAZING (I’ve included the recipe at end of this post)! Planning ahead tells the Lord that I am ready to serve at a moment’s notice. It’s what I’m here for. It’s the reason God has gifted me a home.
What are some ways you like to be prepared to show hospitality?
This article originally appeared on GinalSmith.com. Used with permission.
Gina Smith is the author of Grace Gifts: Celebrating Your Children Every Day, and writes at her personal blog GinalSmith.com She has also been featured on HSLDA'S Homeschool Heartbeat Radio. She has been married to her husband Brian for 29 years and they have 2 adult children. You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
Image courtesy: ©Thinkstock/SvetaZi
Publication date: May 19, 2017