"So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10 ESV).
If you are like me, you have heard messages on the spiritual gifts and on talents and have hoped that by the time you reached adulthood, you know what yours is/are. I know one area mentioned is that of hospitality. I have wondered if that is something we believers should exercise, only if we seem to believe we have the gift -- or is that something that also comes under the principle of Galatians 6:10?
I have often thought of this verse in relation to where the church's responsibility falls in meeting the physical needs of its community. My conclusion has been that the church first has a responsibility to its own; but that doesn't mean it keeps that responsibility exclusively there.
I have often thought of this verse in light of the way believers treat believers, too: "Do good." I haven't always done good, especially if I have been at the brunt of others believers' stabs in the back and outright lies while those in leadership positions have let it go -- even if I pointed out to them that there is a problem, and it needs to be resolved, and I am willing to set out to do that with their help (since nothing else works). Sometimes I chose to tell others the stories, not for any other reason than to make those people look bad in these others' eyes. Sometimes I filled out post cards out of magazines for free vacation information -- and checked all the boxes, just to be sure they got plenty of junk mail. Sometimes I had other ideas as well. Did I seek to "do good" to those who claim to be of the household of faith? No.
I have also thought of this verse in light of the hospitality factor -- the opportunity to "do good." My church has wonderful people who for years and years have stepped in to provide food for meals. Wonderful people who regularly provided overnight housing for college groups coming through. Wonderful people who were quick to donate money and other needed items to help with hospitality. Now these people are getting to the point where physically it is a challenge for them to do anything other than donate money. How's my generation doing in stepping up to fill that gap? Not as well as most could, including some who like to pass themselves off as very spiritual minded. Excuses? They have them. True, it may be a pain to get a room ready and perhaps serve breakfast (although it can be as simple as toast and cereal). What's so hard about opening up a few cans of a veg and taking it to church for the committee to use for a meal it's preparing for a group? What's so hard about donating money towards the expense? What about their children who have come into adulthood and now have their own homes? Excuses -- plus, admit it or not, the poor example of their own parents in this regard. It's too much to be inconvenienced. "Do good."
When my siblings and I were growing up, it seemed to fall upon the pastor and his wife to do the entertaining of whatever guests the church had. We had neat opportunities to meet missionaries and evangelists. I wonder if the fact that few church families ever do this, especially when they have children still at home, is a reason why fewer and fewer Christian kids seem drawn to be in Christian work when they grow up. More and more are also shirking involvement in lay ministry. Kids don't have the chance to meet and talk with these people in a setting outside church. I wonder if the fact that my parents did entertaining is part of the reason why I do what I do?
A family of six who lived in our area for about three years were great about having church guests at their home, whether for a meal or to sleep over. This family was enthusiastic about the things of the Lord. (The father had been saved well into his adult life.) Now he is attending seminary in the Midwest. I wonder if these guests had an impact on his life. I wonder what impact it will have on the kids, to have been exposed to people in Christian ministry.
"DO GOOD." There's a lot that encompasses.
