If you’d asked me before, I’d probably have said my love language was physical touch or quality time. However, after my recent trip to Malaysia, I think it might actually be a steaming hot bowl of pai gu png from Klang — or perhaps a fragrant plate of nasi lemak from Village Park Restaurant. In hindsight… maybe it wasn’t just about the food. It was the thoughtfulness behind every meal (and every other item on the itinerary) — the way fellow brethren drove us around to try their favourite spots, made sure we were well-fed, and welcomed us warmly into their homes. Their kind gestures reminded me that hospitality isn’t merely an abstract idea we read about in the Bible, but a practical act we Christians ought to demonstrate every day.
Before we can even practise hospitality, we have to understand what it means. The Greek word in Romans 12:13 is “philonexia”, which means “love to strangers” or “hospitality”. We are to be “given to hospitality”. In other words, God wants us to eagerly pursue showing love to strangers. From this verse, we can see that showing hospitality isn’t something we do when we’re feeling particularly kind or when it’s convenient for us. We now know that hospitality is an act of love and faith, and is something we are commanded to practise each day.
Take, for example, Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 18. When three men appeared before Abraham’s tent, he prepared a tender and good calf. Along with cakes made by Sarah, butter, and milk, he gave the three men food to eat. Did you notice how this passage shows that Abraham immediately ran to his tent door to greet the three men when he saw them? He did not hesitate to offer them water to wash their feet, a place to rest, and a meal to eat.
Evidently, we ought to be hospitable to each other, especially without any hesitation or making complaints. In fact, 1 Peter 4:9 tells us to “be hospitable to one another without grumbling”. Showing hospitality is, indubitably, costly. Yet, we shouldn’t whine about it, as with everything else we are commanded to do in the Bible. I recall how my friends drove us to the Church building for their Year-End Gathering on New Year’s Eve and drove us back home even though it was late and they were likely exhausted from the day of festivities. I also recall how they still continued to bring us around the next day, knowing that we only had a few days left of our trip to explore Selangor, even though they could’ve simply stayed at home to rest before they headed back to work the following day. What struck me was that they never once let on if something was inconvenient for them. Instead, they welcomed us with cheerful smiles, made sure we felt at home, and even stayed up with us for countless rounds of board games and deep talks. In fact, I’ve lost track of how many amicable squabbles we’ve had at the kitchen sink because they simply wouldn’t let us do the dishes. These moments, though seemingly insignificant, highlighted something much deeper — their willingness to give so much of their time, effort, and energy. It was through these gestures that I got a glimpse of true, selfless hospitality.
In addition, we shouldn’t show kindness to others with the expectation that they will repay us someday. Luke 14:12-14 states, “Then He also said to him who invited Him, ‘When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.’”
Hospitality can take many different forms. It could be a simple gesture like preparing a meal for someone in need — such as a new mother, a grieving family, or a friend having a tough time. Or perhaps, providing a place to stay for someone, such as brethren from overseas. Even going out of one’s way to make visitors or newcomers feel welcome counts as an act of hospitality.
The generosity and kindness shown by the brethren we stayed with in Malaysia was inspiring, and I strive to emulate the same selfless love they showed and hope to return the favour some day. Similarly, let's be like Abraham and Sarah, eagerly serving others and reflecting the love of God, who first welcomed us into His family.