A Pastor Must Be Fond of Guests

619 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; Next on the list of pastoral qualifications is the pastor must be hospitable. The word means “fond of guests.” A person who is fond of guests, does not view visitors as an interruption, and again we see this modeled in the Good Shepherd, Jesus. He had no place to call His own and His office was wherever HE traveled, and HE never viewed an encounter with another human being as an interruption. He was genuinely fond of guests, even suffering little children to come unto Him! Sometimes we confuse this gift with the notion that the hospitable person is gifted at entertaining others in their well appointed homes, with elegant dinners, and stimulating conversation, but really, it is what it says it is. It is anyone who is fond of guests. Some of the most hospitable people I know have pots and pans in the sink, unmade beds, laundry everywhere, and maybe they have something in the fridge they could throw together for that lunch they insist you stay for. The key is, they are just plain glad to see you. Abraham's attitude is instructive here: Ge 18:2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he RAN from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, 3 and said, "My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. 4 "Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 "And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant." They said, "Do as you have said." Here's a man who WAS “fond of guests.” You want to be a pastor? Be “fond of guests,” Be genuinely glad to see them, because as a pastor, you never know when they will drop in, with a need for conversation and fellowship, and isn't that the nuts and bolts of one on one ministry? Father, You have been so welcoming with us, help us to be welcoming to others.