Kingdom Building

August 29, 2019

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ So we can say with confidence,
‘The Lord is my helper;
   I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?’ –Hebrews 13:1-8,15-16

The above scripture is a wonderful summary of living the life of Christ in us. I fear our society has lost some of this wonder. Loving mutually takes a lot of work.

I fear we are losing the art of hospitality. No one came into my home as a child without at least being offered a glass of water. More likely they would be served a cup of tea or glass of iced tea depending on the season and something to eat. If it was near a mealtime, they would be invited to share the meal with the family. We children knew the guests were served first. My faith teaches me the sacredness of being a people of the table as communion, the Lord’s Supper, serves as the center of our worship. Sharing food encompasses the most rudimentary common need of all people.

While I do not appreciate some social media, I am not against it. If used well it can be a source of hospitality. Sharing in the announcement of the birth of a child brings together a whole family and community of faith in celebration. A friend recently shared a picture of he and his siblings as they sat with their father during his last hours. I was honored to be a part of sharing in the loss of a dear loved one as they celebrated his life in Christ.

How would our perception of the world changed if we spent time daily trying to imagine what living in prison is like, what it feels like to be tortured? How much healthier would marriages be if each partnered honored their vows?

What would our world be like if it were suddenly cleanse of all greed?

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. –1 Timothy 6:10

Prayer: Lord, write the words of this scripture from Hebrews on my heart and guide me in following it. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.