Our Daily Bread: Serving TogetherSample

Serving Together

Love must be sincere. -Romans 12:9

I remember how members of my former inner-city Hispanic church in Detroit, Michigan, practiced sincere love. They served other members through generosity and care, including those with medical and physical needs.

In Romans 12:9–13, hospitality is not just being a nice host entertaining guests but means providing care and protection for the whole person.

This is how Christ's followers behaved in the Middle East and throughout the Mediterranean world of the apostle Paul’s time. Hospitality in Greek (philoxenia) means “love of the stranger.” Like the Samaritan traveler in Jesus’ parable who took care of the wounded stranger on the road to Jericho (Luke 10:25–37), modern-day disciples are to likewise receive a stranger as a guest.

Our church members applied philoxenia to other members who had medical difficulties and needed help to recover. They took care of a widow with mobility problems. She had no nearby relatives to help, so they provided meals, transportation to appointments, house cleaning, and prayed with her often.

Another member sacrificially raised funds to repair the leaking roofs of the homes of two single mothers.

Another opened her home for a children’s summer Bible club.

Still, others raised funds to buy a reliable used vehicle for an elderly widow whose car was destroyed. Committed Christians show sincere love for others in need. When our public testimony honors one another, our sincere love may encourage others to join God’s family and kingdom.

Eli Garza

What is your patient service in authentic hospitality—philoxenia, loving the stranger—that reflects humble gratitude for God’s gift of grace in Jesus Christ?

Holy Father, thank You for saving us through Your gift of grace in Jesus Christ. Help us to excel in sharing Your sincere love with others in practical ways.