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14_Service – the soul of hospitality

Gen 18:1-5 And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3 and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5 while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.”

Abraham was 99 years old when he showed hospitality to angels unawares. This remarkable episode is recorded in Genesis 18:1-5. Abraham at this time was a wealthy man with vast possessions and flocks. He was the head of a household that included at least 318 trained servants. With all this, Abraham remained humble and ready to serve. What stands out in this story is not his wealth or influence. It is his heart—a heart that joyfully embraced the opportunity to serve strangers in need.

This underlines the fact that advanced age, high status, or comfortable circumstances need not exclude humility or the most menial service.

In the hot desert, it would have been customary to seek shade at noon. Abraham, sitting at the entrance of his tent, could have easily stayed there. But when he noticed three men approaching, he didn’t hesitate or deliberate. Instead, he ran eagerly to meet them. Think about this for a moment: a 99-year-old man, running in the midday heat to greet strangers! Abraham didn’t wait hopefully to see if they would bypass him; he sought the opportunity to serve them. His immediate response demonstrated his readiness to serve. Abraham’s actions embody a principle that echoes throughout Scripture: true hospitality comes from a swift recognition of need and a willingness to meet it.

Abraham did not know the men. They appeared to be ordinary travelers. He didn’t need an introduction or an agenda to extend kindness. He simply recognized their need for rest and refreshment and responded. Hospitality, in its truest form, isn’t about giving a good time to those we know and like. It’s about meeting the needs of strangers. Hebrews 13:2 reminds us: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

For Abraham, hospitality was not an occasional impulse but a way of life. This was a characteristic not only of Abraham but also of his nephew Lot. Even while living in the wicked city of Sodom, Lot insisted on sheltering the two visitors who arrived at his city gate. He knew well what dangers they would face in the streets. For both men, service was instinctive. It wasn’t a way to impress or win the liking of others. It was simply meeting the needs of those who crossed their path.

Abraham stands out also for his willingness to participate personally in the work of hospitality. At his age, and with his position, he could have merely commanded and delegated. Instead, he ran to catch a lamb for the meat, and he carried the message to Sarah his wife to get bread ready for the visitors. He also stood by to serve the men with food and make sure they had all they needed.

Again, what makes Abraham’s hospitality particularly inspiring is its simplicity and sincerity. He did not think it necessary to show off with a grand feast and elaborate arrangements. Instead, he offered what was readily available—shade under the tree, water to wash their feet, and a homemade meal of bread and meat from his own flock. Abraham didn’t seek to showcase anything. He combined simplicity with generosity.

He offered the best he could provide under the circumstances. A calf, freshly baked bread, and cool water to refresh their feet—these were not extravagant offerings, but they were thoughtful and generous.

Notice also the quietness of Abraham’s service. He did not boast about his actions. He sought neither gratitude nor recognition. His focus was on the needs of his guests. This mirrors the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 25:34-40, where acts of service—feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, and caring for the sick—are described as habits of life. Yet they were recognized by the Lord as service rendered to Himself. When we serve others in simplicity of motive, we are truly serving the Lord.

The heart of hospitality lies in this: it is not about us. Abraham’s service was unself-conscious. He did not think of his age, his wealth, or the inconvenience of having to quickly get up a meal for perfect strangers. He simply saw a need and responded with love and humility.

His example challenges us to examine our own attitudes toward serving others. Do we hesitate, waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect guest? Do we grumble inwardly, feeling burdened by the demands of hospitality? Or do we, like Abraham, respond with eagerness and joy, seeing every opportunity to serve as a chance to honor God?

Romans 12:9-13 offers a beautiful framework for living out this calling:
“Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another. Do not lag in zeal; be enthusiastic in spirit, serving the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality.”

This passage reminds us that hospitality is not a dead duty. It is part of genuine love. It is an act of worship, an expression of our faith, and a way of embodying the grace of God in our daily lives. This is another hallmark of godly service: discerning what others truly need and meeting those needs with a willing heart.

Hospitality is not about having the perfect home, the best food, or the most polished manners. It is about a heart that is open to others in need. It is about making strangers feel valued, cared for, and welcome.

In our busy, often self-centered world, this kind of hospitality is countercultural. We may feel that we don’t have the time, resources, or energy for hospitality. Yet Abraham’s example shows us that true hospitality requires neither abundance or perfection. It needs only love, a willingness to help strangers in need.

How can we become more hospitable? It starts with small, intentional steps. We can look for strangers in the community, workplace, or church who are weary, lonely, or in real need of encouragement. We can offer them a home to drop into, a meal to share, a ear to listen, and a helping hand.

Let us also remember that hospitality begins at home. Do we treat our own family with willing service or take them for granted? This reflects the authenticity of our faith.

Every act of kindness is done unto the Lord. As Matthew 25 reminds us, when we serve the least of these, even the least in our own families, we serve Christ Himself. Let us not grow weary in doing good, knowing that our labor in the Lord is never in vain.

“Service—the soul of hospitality” is not just a catchy phrase. It is a call to live out our faith in tangible, practical ways. Let us serve simply, give joyfully, and love fervently. Let hospitality be not an obligation, but an unexpected opportunity to serve our Master during the course of our days.