The Heart of Godly Hospitality

Genesis 18:1-15

Wednesday, 18 June 2025

“My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant … wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree… that you may refresh your hearts…”  – Genesis 18:3-4

If a stranger knocks at your door, would you invite him in, offer a meal and a place to restand refresh? Probably not! We are often cautious and maybe even sceptical of who we welcome into our homes.  But that’s exactly what Abraham did in today’s text from Genesis 18.

Abraham doesn’t hesitate, he ran to meet three unknown visitors and served them with heartfelt generosity. This heartwarming scene gives us a powerful glimpse into true Christian hospitality.

1. Willing service: Abraham’s heart was tuned to be generous and hospitable to others. Vs 2 records that when he looked up and saw three men nearby, he ran from the tent door to greet them. This act of running, especially for an elderly man in hot weather reveals his enthusiasm and eagerness to joyfully serve the weary travellers. His quick and personal response shows that hospitality wasn’t a burden, but a joyful expression of willing service to strangers. Similarly, we need to be alert to the needs of those around us and have a willingness to attend to them with the encouragement and helpthey need. 

2. Humble service: Abraham was a wealthy and respected patriarch, yet when he saw the visitors, he bowed low, a gesture of humility and honour. He could have delegated the task of serving the visitors to his servants, but instead he chose to serve with his own hands and heart. The essence of humble service is not doing it for recognition orobligation, but because love sees others as worthy of care and honour. A believershould follow the example of Jesus who taught us humility by washing His disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17). Philippians 2:3-4 reminds us: Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

3. Sacrificial service: True service involves a sacrifice. Abraham’s hospitality wasn't just courteous, it was costly. He did not offer them leftovers or the bare minimum. Instead he personally selected a tender, choice calf, asked Sarah to bake fresh bread from fine flour and took care of his visitors. It reflects the sacrificial love of Christ for each of us, who gave not just from His abundance, but gave Himself entirely for our sake(Ephesians 5:2). True service always costs something, be it our comfort, time, resources, or personal plans. But it is in that sacrifice that our service becomes meaningful and Christlike.

4. Selfless service: In serving the visitors, Abraham expected nothing in return. His service is selfless, honouring and valuing the guests and their needs, without any expectation of gain or repayment. Selfless service is a mark of genuine love and mature faith. Selfless service aims at doing good for others not because of who they are or what they can give you, but because you see them as worthy of care, simply because they are made in God’s image. Galatians 5:13 says, “Through love, serve one another.” Love doesn’t serve with conditions, it serves unconditionally, just like Christ did.

Abraham’s hospitality pleased God because it reflected the very character of God— He is loving, generous and kind. We are “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). As Christians, we are called to mirror His mercy and compassion, extending hospitality not only to fellow brethren, but more so to strangers and those in need.

When we practice hospitality with a willing and humble heart, we are living out the Gospel, just as God welcomed us into His family while we were still strangers (Romans 5:8). Remember, every act of true kindness is a living testimony of God’s abundant grace that has been poured out on us.

To Act on: Continue in brotherly love. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrew 13:1-2)

Listen: 'Servant King'