Hospitality

1 Peter 4:9 [Be] hospitable to one another without grumbling.

Hospitality is a gift. Hospitality is taking care of the needs of others. We are one body and the body parts are interdependent of each other. One part cannot rot away while the other is smiling. 

When one washes their hands, it's one hand that is washing the other. When a face needs to be cleaned, both hands take part in the washing. What a beautiful picture when each part gets help from another part! 

The "I don't need people" mentality cannot work in the church. We shouldn't have poor people or anyone lacking in the necessities of life when the church exists. When one person prospers, it's for the good of all. It's good motivation to wake up daily to go to work in order to have enough to contribute to the needs of others. 

Jesus had women who took care of his physical needs. He was God in flesh but still needed others. We too our flesh needs to be cared for in one way or the other. I have seen many express their I don't need people mentality come to their knees when they are down with sickness, and they need the very church members they were despising come to their rescue. I have also seen some in times of celebration like graduation, weddings needy when it comes to organizing such events. The very church members they were neglecting contribute a big part in the running of the events and their pride is hit rock bottom.

Am not saying people shouldn't work because someone else out there will meet their needs, no that's not pleasing to God. I am saying that there are certain happenings which should make you vulnerable and express that you need help. Not everything you have or you will ever get has come or will come through your sweat. Some will come through others. In such cases we need to be aggressive givers and aggressive receivers at the same time. Some simply are good givers, but won't want to be helped when it's their turn to receive. Others are only parasites, simply receiving but won't want to give. We need a balance. 

Jesus ministered people's spiritual needs but allowed them to get blessed by them ministering to him physical needs. Let's do the same. There are people who steal from the church. They don't give, or use their hands or talents to not doing anything towards the continuity of the church and yet you want to benefit materially from it. That's theft. The church should only meet needs of those active members who are contributing towards it's success and not those who only want to just take from it. 

EK