Who is Coming to Dinner?
By Rob Genin
There have been several books on hospitality in recent years, for which I am grateful. I think there is a lot of opportunity to use our homes, not merely as personal retreats, but as a place of refuge and care for others. Many of the book discussions center around “how” to do hospitality, but according to Jesus we should also think about “who”. Here is what he said:
“When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” –Luke 14:12-14
It is common that most of our invitations go to people who may in turn invite us back. However, if that is 100% of the number of people around our tables, we are missing an opportunity. There is something important about serving those for whom our hospitality will truly be a blessing. Even more, when you invite people who cannot repay you, it trains us in at least two areas:
- To give to people freely — without strings attached (they cannot repay you)
- To look to God to provide for your needs (you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous)
There is a third lesson which emerges from this story: often the people who respond to and love Jesus are found in unexpected places. In the very next section (Luke 14:15-24), Jesus tells the story of a king who was preparing a great banquet. Many illustrious and significant people were invited – but they did not come. So, the king invited the common people and even travelers to his banquet, and the house was filled.
Like Jesus’ story, sometimes people with many advantages and options do not see or appreciate the value of the king’s offer. As we share our homes (and through our homes, the love of Jesus) with people, we may find the ones who respond with greatest joy are people (by virtue of different social status or situation) we would never have otherwise encountered. Even though they may be the ones who receive material blessing from us, we may find the blessings God gives us through their fellowship (even before the resurrection) is a rich repayment.
At YBL summer is over, fall groups have started back, and we are in banquet season. YBL Jackson had an amazing fall lunch with former FBI whistleblower, Mark Whitacre. YBL Birmingham is preparing to host Terry Looper, founder and CEO of Texon Corporation in Houston. WBL is going to have executive recruiting expert Stephanie Franklin for their Faith and Work luncheon. As many are inviting people to these events or following them up, please pray that we will remember Jesus’ words and invite those we might easily overlook. Pray that God will bring the fruit of faith and discipleship from their efforts!