“Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:13 NIV
Hospitality, defined by Webster’s dictionary of 1828 is the act or practice of receiving and entertaining strangers or guests without reward, or with kind and generous liberality. Sharing food with people is an easy way to be hospitable. Who doesn’t love donuts? Not only does it share God’s love, but it sets an example for others to do the same. What hospitality really boils down to is thinking about the other person, and that is what God wants us to do. You may not want to take donuts, maybe fresh fruit would be a healthier choice, but whatever it is you decide to do for your co-workers, you’re letting them know you’re thinking of them.
Being hospitable builds relationships, it shows people you’re open and approachable. When people feel comfortable talking to you, you will gain new perspectives into their lives and find other ways to serve them. Matthew tells us, Jesus came to serve, not to be served (Matthew 20:28 NIV). When we actively find ways to serve others, we are imitating Jesus. One inspirational story I found told of a man who noticed a co-worker who was struggling. He noticed he was forgetting things and seemed confused. He decided to get involved. When he did, he found this gentleman was in early stages alzheimer’s and being taken advantage of financially by his children. The coworker took him to the hospital to get assessed, helped him find a caretaker to monitor his condition, and helped him get his finances in order with a government worker that would ensure his bills got paid and his children could no longer take advantage of him. Even more interesting, this man set an example for his son who wrote the article you can read here. All because he noticed a coworker who was struggling.
There is a phrase which is commonly heard, “bloom where you are planted.” Often, we don’t think of our jobs as an area where we are planted, but in reality we spend more time at work than we do at home. Finding ways to serve our coworkers, whether by taking donuts or buying them lunch is one way to bloom where you are planted. Being hospitable at work can open doors to share God’s love in ways you can’t even imagine. Just as noticing a coworkers forgetfulness helped save a man from elder abuse, God only knows how He may use you right where you are. Take a look around you today at work, who needs help? What is one thing you could do today to bless the people you work with? Ask God for “eyes to see and ears to hear” (Matthew 13:16 NIV) the needs of the people you work with then start with a donut. Be hospitable, be open and approachable, God will do the rest.
