Given to Hospitality
Last month, while preaching at a gospel meeting in Illinois, my truck sprang an antifreeze leak as I pulled into the church parking lot on Sunday morning. As I found out about the misfortune I was a bit worried. I knew no mechanic in the area, had no other ride to get me from place to place and did not want to be a burden to the church there during my stay.
Yet, one good brother at the church helped turn the situation around. He was a mechanic and offered to take my truck home and fix it during the week. So, for the first three nights of the gospel meeting he went home from work, drove to church, drove back home late at night and worked on the vehicle until it was finished. I might add...he never missed a church service despite working his regular job and some late nights. I was very grateful he was there and willing to help. He will always enter my mind whenever I think of that local congregation in the future.
Romans 12:13 says that all brethren should be
"...distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality..."
Has someone found a way to turn your misfortune into your good fortune?
Given you a place to stay when you had nowhere to go? Lent you
some money when you had none? Helped you fix something you did not
have the ability to fix yourself? Friends, that is
"distributing to the needs of the saints..." and it has the
ability to make a lifelong friend. Do not avoid your chances to
help someone with their need. Jesus helped you with yours, didn't
He (John 15:13)?
Think about it.
December 2007