Qualifications:  Given to Hospitality

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The next qualification that Paul brings to our attention is that a man whom we are looking to call as pastor must be “hospitable”—literally, “loving strangers”. The history of the early church tells us that Christians travelling in the first century avoided the public inns, with their pagan and debauched atmosphere, and where the food had been offered to idols. So they would seek out a Christian home where they may stop for the night, with much more conducive company—with people of like-mind and spirituality. There was a valuable by-product of this. It was that believers from widely scattered areas would get to know each other. They would cement lines of fellowship and encourage believers in other places. So hospitality became an important Christian virtue in those days—and it was extremely practical. Surely, even in our modern motel-age, it should also have its place.

Therefore a pastor ought to be a person who desires to show such hospitality to fellow Christians. There ought to be a willingness to share personal blessings with others, and to have an attitude of mind and heart—such that every Christian ought to enjoy his company, and be set an example in hospitality and friendship. Remember Onesiphorus? Paul said of him that “he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain” (2 Timothy 1:16). There is a uniting of heart and mind in fellowship through using the gift of hospitality, that brings many Christians special blessings.

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