Are you hospitable? Are you sure? What do you think showing hospitality means? The word in the New Testament for  hospitality literally means, “love of foreigners.” When Paul says in Romans 12:13 “Always be eager to practice hospitality…” he’s instructing us to always be proactive and constantly looking for opportunities and ways to show Christ’s love to the foreigners in our lives.  

Jesus gives us a practical example of how Biblical hospitality should be practiced in Matthew 25:31-46. In this passage, Jesus says to the righteous, “For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.” Matt. 25:35, 36

At hearing Jesus, the righteous were confused and said, “Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You? Matt. 25:37-39 

Jesus responded with the famous verse found in Matthew 25:40 “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Included in Jesus’ words “the least of these” are those who were known as “strangers.” 

Jesus’ word “stranger” here literally means “foreigner.” By this we see that Jesus is giving us a practical example of what Biblical hospitality (which is “love of foreigners”) could look like. 

If Scripture is our authority, then being hospitable by showing Christ’s love to foreigners is not an option, but a Biblical command and the call of every Christian. May God help us to examine our lives in light of Jesus’ many examples and the clear teaching of Scripture about how we are to show love to foreigners.

In saying that, I don’t want to come across as though I’m pointing a spiritual finger and saying, “Hey, what’s wrong with you, let’s get with the program.” What am I trying to say is, as we consider the Biblical teaching on loving foreigners, allow me to talk about some practical ways we could take some baby steps to show hospitality. The reason we do this is because God wants people from every nation, tongue and tribe around the throne, and He wants us to be a part of getting them there.     

Some ideas to help you get started would be to read the articles on this web page called “Just say Hi” and “Sharing Love with Cultural Relevance” and other articles and stories we have here. But, for now let me discuss some ideas on how to show love to foreigners. As I do, please understand, these are not steps, but simple suggestions of ways to apply the Biblical teaching of hospitality. 

Engage a Foreigner. Please allow me to explain one reason we are so passionate about this. We raised our children and lived for over 20 years in a country where the race, religion, culture and language were different than what my wife Tabi and I knew and experienced growing up. As foreigners, we lived what it meant to speak with an accent, not understand humor and, while loved, we were always aware that we were “different.” 

When we were living as foreigners and someone from the host country and culture would go out of their way to engage us for the purpose to both know us and establish a friendship, something powerful would happen. Because we were vulnerable, we were drawn to the person who had purposed to actively engage us to become friends. To this day, some of our dearest and most meaningful relationships are with those brave and caring people who showed us what Biblical hospitality was and sought us out when we were foreigners. There are few things that have more impacted our lives than when, as foreigners, people reached out to show us love and acceptance. Let me encourage you, when you see a foreigner (in just about any context) ask God to help you practice Biblical hospitality and begin to engage them! I can promise you, you’ll be thrilled if you do! 

Listen To a Foreigner. When you engage a foreigner, purpose to show love by actively listening. They will know you are actively listening and care, when after they answer a question, you follow it up with two or three more questions so you can better understand them.

When you listen, if you are a man, be aware of the culturally relevant ways that space and touch are practiced within that cultural context. This would also be true for woman. This may take you out of your comfort zone, but at least be aware of this, and try with God’s help to listen and show love in a culturally relevant ways.

Ask Open Ended Questions. Once you engage a foreigner and start down the relational road ask open ended questions that will foster conversation and build trust. “Tell me about your family and childhood? What were religious holidays and how did you practice them? 

Ask About Their Life Here and Now. Once I start down a relational road with a foreigner I will express how happy and thankful I am that God brought them here and then may add, “Can you tell me, since you’ve been here, have ever felt prejudice, or been mistreated in any way?” Or, “Have you ever been invited into an American’s home? …Tell me about that.” From my personal experience, those kinds of questions, with caring follow up comments, will open a much deeper relational door of trust and understanding.

It’s Not “Befriending a Foreigner” It’s about making a foreigner a friend. There is a difference. I would strongly suggest, don’t think of this as a “ministry” or just helping someone in need. Ask God to show you how much your new foreign friend has to offer you. When you approach your friendship with that in mind you will be amazed at what will happen. Here are ways to do that. 

Suggest a Variety of Social Activities. Think about your close friends. How did you become close? Part of that answer would include both you and your friend have been purposeful to engage in social activities that allow for conversation. As we are reaching out to a foreigners let’s apply the same principle.

You don’t have to come up with things that are expensive, take great planning, or are time consuming. We’ve found suggesting things like, “Do you want to take a walk, meet for coffee, or let’s go out for ice-cream” are great ways to start. But, after a few simple engagements, if you want to take it up a relational notch, ask someone to your home for coffee or tea, or even a meal. Don’t overthink or prepare for this, do it with an idea to build a relationship. I guarantee you, if you do this, you can count on it being reciprocated. 

Learn to Give…and RECEIVE.  Finally, be willing to sacrificially give and receive. It can comes across as patronizing and even demeaning when a relationship is so one sided that one person always gives and the other only receives. If you are willing to make a friend with a foreigner then learn how much they have to offer, and how much you can learn from them. Our experience is that the Muslim community we live and are friends with constantly  overpower and overwhelm us with kindness, hospitality and love. If you learn to give and receive this will happen to you too!