HOUSE GUESTS. FRIEND OR FOE?

There are those people out there who love  to entertain and do not mind an unexpected guest dropping by and then there are another group stressed our and worried about their house and their food. Which group do you fall into to?

You may recall the story about Mary and Martha in the Bible in Luke 10:38-42 which says "As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worriedand upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

People are not looking for dust bunnies and things out of place. The best thing is just be hospitable. The difference in hospitality and entertaining, according to my definition, is that hospitality will say "come on in and throw on a hot dog" and entertaining frets for weeks and has to be perfect with nothing in disarray. Almost  everything has to be 100 percent in place and don't forget to get out the fine china. Which place are you more  relaxed in?

Proverbs 15:17 says " Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf where there is and hatred."

Your home is a gift from God. You should be a good steward of it and keep it clean and ideally use it to have both friends and strangers over. Use it for God's glory.

Hebrews 13:2 reminds us "





Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.


PRAYER: Father I give to you any concerns over inviting people not my home. I know you want me to share and to bring people in for comfort and maybe food. Help me to get over any fears of worrying what people think and to find a friend to invite over. In Jesus name. Amen.


Reading  Suggestion: a book I read back in the late 70's should be available through Amazon and it is called ' Open Heart, Open Home' by Karen Burton Mains.