Being hospitable truly matters. Hospitality is simply an act of generosity and kind treatment of people irrespective of their status and relationship with us. We all should have inherent desire and drive to nurture and care for others. Warm hospitality binds people and makes the world go round. It keeps us feeling connected and makes us happier. BETTY AMUKPO asks, Are you hospitable? The children respond thus:
‘Care for people is part of my life’
The book of Ephesians 6:7stated “Rendering service with goodwill as to the Lord and not to man”. It is part of the practice in our family to always care for people and its part of my life. Whenever my friends come to visit me, we always watch cartoon together, make them comfortable. I do make sure I show care and affection towards the needy and give out things am no more using to people who needs them. At school, I share my books and knowledge with my classmates so that we can all be brilliant and in all, I expect no reward from them but from God because God is hospitable to us all.
• Gideon Eyinade
‘We show hospitability by welcoming strangers with a smile’
Hospitality is the act of being friendly and receptive to people, even strangers. Hospitable people in the Bible are: 1 Kings 17-18 – Elijah and the widow of Zarephath 2 Kings 4 – Elijah and the Shunammite woman We show hospitality by welcoming strangers with a smile, being friendly and making your guests comfortable.
• Ebubechukwu Chinedu
‘I am kind and nice to people around me’
Being hospitable means being kind, generous, nice, loveable to everyone, strangers and friends alike. Jesus in Matthew 25:40 says,” That whatever we do for the least of people, we do for him”. I am kind and nice to people around me, I share my things both in school and at home. I assist in doing chores. When I walk on the street I usually greet my elders with a smile on my face. In Peter 4:9 it says that we are to show hospitality to one another without grumbling. God has given us the two greatest commandment of all time. Love for God and love for others, no matter whom, who and what we are.
• Victoria Okefe
‘I am hospitable in my own way by being gentle and loving to persons I come across’
Being hospitable works on the principle of tithing. You are either giving or you are receiving; all of us have a stake in hospitality because Jesus does. Hospitality is both action and affection, receiving, and unconditional love for your neighbour; we can find it in Hebrew 13:2 and 1 peter 4:9. I am hospitable in my own way by being gentle; loving to persons I come across, I treat my neighbour well in godly manner, help in house chores to lessen the burdens on my siblings. Hospitality is good for the giver because it puts our lives and hearts on display. Hospitality is treating strangers and friends alike with love; it is welcoming one another into our homes and lives. Hospitability is a sacred duty.
• Chima Anita
‘I should be hospitable to people by helping, respecting and loving them, irrespective of where they come from’
Hospitality means being friendly and generous in welcoming and entertaining of guests, visitors and strangers. I should be hospitable to people by receiving, helping, respecting and loving them, irrespective of where the person is from, by helping people in need both financially, materially and praying for them. Hospitality brings favour and God’s blessings. Genesis18:1-15 related how Abraham received three strangers into his house and how it brought him favour and fulfillment of God’s promise. Ruth chapter 1-4, narrated the story of Ruth and Naomi, her daughter-in-laws. Ruth’s hospitality to her mother-inlaw brought about her blessings and marriage to Boaz. Helping the elderly to sweep, fetch water or carrying their loads are also some ways I will show hospitality to people. In 1st Kings 17:7-16, the widow of Zarephat helped Prophet Elijah to give him food. Both flour and oil never finished in her pot and jar. In Matthew 14:13-21, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:5-15. Jesus took pity on the crowd and gave them something to eat. This brought about the miraculous multiplication of fish and bread.
• Chibuike Anyasor
‘I always welcome visitors in our home with open hands’
Hospitality is welcoming strangers without reservations. I always welcome visitors in our home with open hands. My mother will prepare food to attend to anyone who visits us. Give them water to bath and fill comfortable at night till morning. This made me to understand the importance of welcoming strangers with open hands. Sometimes in my mummy’s shop we normally give free food to those who come to ask for food due to hunger. Because kindness begets kindness
• Onuh Maximilian Uchechukwu
‘I listen and provide the much I can to the needy’
Hospitality is the relationship between a guest and a host. My hospitality towards people around is to make sure they are comfortable. I listen and provide the much I can to the needy among them and I accommodate them when necessary.
• Umennadi Francis Chibunna
‘God gives to us that we might give to others’
Hospitality as we all know is being kind to both friends and strangers alike. The purpose of one’s blessedness is to bless others. The result of one blessing others is that one is blessed even more. This isn’t the lackluster gospel of prosperity. This is the lavish grace of God. He gives to us that we might give to others, and in that giving we might receive even more of his kindness. Judging by the forms of which things are happening today in the world of insecurities and more, it’s precarious to show hospitality but as a believer of the Christian faith I’ll still help; Romans 12:13 .
• Awaki Barnabas
