What is the most important part of hospitality?

Luke 10:38-42As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

The most important part of hospitality is sharing our lives and our Lord with others. The Bible mentions both elaborate meals and spontaneous get-togethers (Genesis 18:1-8; 2 Samuel 3:20; Acts 10:23). We shouldn’t be intimidated by hospitality, thinking that we must prepare big meals and clean the house to impress. We should simply share generously and enjoy the people we are with.