A Request for Hospitality
In the Bible sheep shearing was a time of celebration and feasting with friends and family. The sheep owners would take their flock to cities where they would be sheared and the wool sold in the markets.
It must have taken a great deal of time to shear the sheep with scissors or knife blades unlike the electric razors that are used today. Once they were sheared the owners would sell the wool and make an abundance of money. Imagine how much wool Nabal received from three thousand sheep!
Prior to this season the sheep would wander the hills and valleys while shepherd watched over them. David and his men were living in the area and had aided the shepherds in protecting the flocks.
When David heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep he sent messengers to ask him if he could spare some provisions for he and his men. They reminded Nabal that they had assisted his servants in watching over the flock and the request was very reasonable and customary.
Nabal’s response was fitting with his character; rude, insulting and surly. He refused to send food even though he had an abundance and he would not acknowledge the help he had received from David and his men.
Do we ever act like that when someone has helped us, but when it comes time to reciprocate, it seems like an awful inconvenience? Maybe we don’t have time or we just don’t care.
Maybe someone has been a friend to us and in return we have gossiped about them or insulted them. It can be painful to recognize that there may be a little “Nabal” in each of us.
The Bible teaches us that everything we have comes from God. Meaning that we should honor God by using what we have to help and serve others, remembering that we cannot out give God.
Jesus reminds us that whatever we do to the least of these, we have done it unto him. The opposite is also true, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.
We are blessed to be a blessing. Showing hospitality is a privilege because we get the opportunity to share from our abundance no matter how much that may be.
Be Intentional about showing hospitality and repaying kindness.
Praises & Prayers
Father, I want to thank you for the many ways that You have abundantly provided for all my needs. Forgive me for the times that I have responded like Nabal and refused to share. When I have insulted or gossiped and been unkind. Help me to remember that when I serve others I am serving You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Messages from His Word
Matthew 24: 40-45
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”