Hospitality Contrasted

 Jeremiah 50-51; 3 John

“Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love…I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us…he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.”

3 John 5, 6, 9, 10

Why is it that some Christ-followers welcome other previously unknown followers into their home and lives as if they were relatives, while other Christians refuse to fellowship with followers in their community whom they have known their whole lives?

Diotrephes was a proud leader in a local church who loved to be first, but had no love for the apostle John. Gaius was a wealthy resident of Ephesus (Romans 16:23), whose hospitality blessed many and who hosted a house church in his home. 

Which leader better describes our approach to relationships and hospitality?

Is our table open?

Are we full of the love of Christ for others and generous with our possessions, or are we more in love with our positions and ultimately ourselves?

“Lord Jesus, fill me with your sacrificial love this day, for your glory.”