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