Once Too Often

Read Proverbs 25

Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome.

Proverbs 25:17

Moderation is the watchword of many of the proverbs, and evidently this principle applies to relationships as well. The truth of this verse has proved itself through the centuries. For example, “wearing out one’s welcome” is a well-known social faux pas and the premise for many a comedy.

The other side of the picture—going right along with not taking advantage of others’ hospitality—is the need to extend one’s own hospitality. We need to open our hearts and homes to others rather than to always be on the receiving end. Let ours be welcoming homes where people of all ages and situations feel welcome. Going along with this is separating the notion of hospitality from simply entertaining. When we attend more to our guests than to the angle of the cutlery, we will be most in the spirit of Christian hospitality.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Hospitality shouldn’t be abused.

Lord, make my heart and my home the welcoming places they were meant to be.