By 10-1-13
1 Timothy 3:2
“Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospital…”
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Hospitable means “to be given to hospitality, fond of guests, generous to guests.” I think that a beautiful example of what hospitality looks like in action is found in Genesis chapter 18. In this text, Abraham was sitting outside of his house when he sees three men (angels) in the distance. These were the angels that informed Abraham that they were about to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
“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. 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 and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 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.” And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “ Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.”
This seems extreme, but it is a sweet example of how the pastor is to be a lover of persons. How he is to go out of his way to show hospitality to those around him.
Leading Family Devotions 