In 1987 our family moved to California to take up leadership of a church there. The day we flew in, someone picked us up at the airport to take us to our house. As we pulled into traffic the very first thing I saw was a car bumper sticker that read: “Welcome To California . . . Now Go Home!” It was not exactly a warm and cheery welcome to this new part of the world!

I wonder if there might be occasions in our lives when we send similar signals to people around us. Whether we are at church, in the neighbourhood or at social gatherings, are there times when we fail to make others feel welcome in our world?

In Romans 12:13 Paul instructed his readers to be “given to hospitality”. The book of Hebrews goes even further by saying, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (13:2). By showing kindness to those who come our way, we echo the Saviour’s invitation for salvation, which declares, “Let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17).

Showing someone loving hospitality just might be the first step in showing that person the way to heaven.

Author

Bill Crowder

Topics

Our Daily Bread