Embracing Hospitality: The Blessings of Giving and Receiving

Devotional

Day 1: The Beauty of Collective Contribution

In a world where individualism often takes center stage, the story of "Stone Soup" reminds us of the profound impact of collective contribution. Each person, regardless of the size of their offering, has something valuable to add to the community. When everyone contributes, the result is a beautiful tapestry of shared resources and talents, creating something far greater than the sum of its parts. This principle is a reflection of the beauty found in community, where each person's unique gifts come together to create a richer, more nourishing whole. As we embrace this mindset, we begin to see the power of unity and the blessings that flow from working together in faith and love. [14:18]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

Reflection: Think of a small gift or talent you possess. How can you offer it to your community this week to contribute to a greater good?

Day 2: The Gift of Receiving

True hospitality is a dance of giving and receiving, where both actions hold equal importance. Often, receiving can be more challenging than giving, as it requires vulnerability and the relinquishing of control. Yet, in the act of receiving, we affirm the worth and dignity of the giver. Jesus exemplified this beautifully by allowing others to serve Him, demonstrating that receiving is as vital as giving. This mutual exchange blurs the lines between who is serving and who is being served, creating a space where everyone feels valued and needed. Embracing the gift of receiving opens us to the blessings and growth that come from allowing others to pour into our lives. [55:47]

2 Corinthians 8:13-15 (ESV): "For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, 'Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.'"

Reflection: Consider a recent offer of help or a gift you hesitated to accept. What held you back, and how might embracing vulnerability in receiving bring blessings to both you and the giver?

Day 3: Mutual Blessings in Hospitality

Hospitality is a sacred exchange where the lines between giving and receiving blur, leading to mutual blessings and a deeper sense of community. When we open ourselves to both give and receive, we create an environment where everyone feels valued and needed. This dynamic fosters a sense of belonging and purpose, as each person contributes to and benefits from the shared experience. By embracing this holistic view of hospitality, we invite a flow of blessings that enriches our lives and strengthens our connections with others. In this space, we find that the act of serving and being served is a divine dance that brings us closer to one another and to God. [58:39]

Romans 12:10-13 (ESV): "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent interaction where you both gave and received. How did this experience deepen your sense of community, and how can you cultivate more such interactions?

Day 4: The Dignity of Offering

Allowing others to give, even when they have little, acknowledges their dignity and ability to contribute. This act of acceptance is a powerful form of hospitality that reinforces the idea that everyone has something valuable to offer. When we accept gifts from those who may have less, we affirm their worth and recognize the beauty of their generosity. This principle challenges us to see beyond material wealth and appreciate the richness of spirit that each person brings. By embracing the dignity of offering, we create a community where everyone is empowered to share their gifts, fostering an environment of mutual respect and appreciation. [52:55]

Mark 12:41-44 (ESV): "And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.'"

Reflection: Think of someone who has offered you something small but meaningful. How can you honor their gift and acknowledge their dignity in your response?

Day 5: Healing Through Openness

Being open to receiving from others can bring unexpected healing and blessings. When we view every encounter as an opportunity for mutual blessing, we invite God's presence into our interactions, enriching our lives and those around us. This openness requires a willingness to be vulnerable and to trust in the goodness of others. As we embrace this mindset, we discover that healing often comes through the simple act of being present and receptive to the gifts and love offered by those around us. By fostering an environment of openness, we create a space where God's grace can flow freely, bringing transformation and renewal to our hearts and communities. [01:03:48]

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: Identify a relationship where you can be more open to receiving. How might this openness invite healing and deeper connection in your life?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of hospitality and the mutual blessings it brings. We began by acknowledging the presence of the Holy Spirit among us and celebrating the unique gifts each person brings to our community. Through the story of "Stone Soup," we were reminded that everyone has something valuable to contribute, no matter how small it may seem. This tale illustrates how collective contributions can create something beautiful and nourishing, much like our community when we come together in faith and love.

We also reflected on the importance of receiving as part of hospitality. Often, we find it challenging to accept help or gifts from others because it requires vulnerability and relinquishing control. Yet, Jesus exemplified the beauty of receiving, allowing others to serve Him and, in doing so, affirming their worth and gifts. This mutual exchange of giving and receiving blurs the lines between who is serving and who is being served, creating a space where everyone feels valued and needed.

The story of a man offering his entire crop of string beans to a group of volunteers highlighted the significance of allowing others to give, even when they have little. Accepting his gift was an acknowledgment of his dignity and ability to contribute, reinforcing the idea that hospitality is a two-way street. This principle was further illustrated through personal anecdotes, such as the experience at the Murdoch Center, where the act of receiving brought unexpected healing and blessings.

As we welcomed new members into our community, we emphasized the importance of allowing them to share their gifts with us. This act of inclusion and participation is essential for fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. By embracing both the giving and receiving aspects of hospitality, we create a community where blessings flow freely, and everyone is enriched.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Collective Contribution: The story of "Stone Soup" teaches us that when everyone contributes, no matter how small their offering, the result is something greater than the sum of its parts. This reflects the beauty of community, where each person's unique gifts create a richer, more nourishing whole. [14:18]
2. The Gift of Receiving: True hospitality involves both giving and receiving. Accepting help or gifts from others requires vulnerability but also affirms the giver's worth and dignity. Jesus modeled this by allowing others to serve Him, demonstrating that receiving is as important as giving. [55:47]
3. Mutual Blessings in Hospitality: Hospitality blurs the lines between who is serving and who is being served. When we open ourselves to both give and receive, we create a space where everyone feels valued and needed, leading to mutual blessings and a deeper sense of community. [58:39]
4. The Dignity of Offering: Allowing others to give, even when they have little, acknowledges their dignity and ability to contribute. This act of acceptance is a powerful form of hospitality that reinforces the idea that everyone has something valuable to offer. [52:55]
5. Healing Through Openness: Being open to receiving from others can bring unexpected healing and blessings. By viewing every encounter as an opportunity for mutual blessing, we invite God's presence into our interactions, enriching our lives and those around us. [01:03:48]
** [63:48]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:12] - Invitation to Worship
[12:18] - The Story of Stone Soup
[14:18] - Everyone Has Something to Offer
[15:25] - The Gifts We Bring
[16:35] - Prayer and Blessing
[26:18] - Welcoming New Members
[29:20] - Profession of Faith
[32:09] - Baptism Ceremony
[33:45] - Anointing with Oil
[39:24] - Community Involvement
[51:48] - Appalachian Service Project
[54:01] - The Challenge of Receiving
[55:47] - Jesus and Hospitality
[58:39] - The Gift of Mutual Blessing
[63:48] - Healing Through Hospitality

Sermon Clips

1) "This story reminds us that everybody has something to offer. Whether you're little or big or old or young or wherever you are, everybody has something to offer. And when we all put our gifts in together, we get a yummy soup. Maybe even New England clam chowder. Right? So, this week when you go out, if you have some soup, I want you to think about how you all came together to make that soup. You had to have a chicken farmer. You had to have someone who cooked the chicken. You had to have someone who made the noodles. Someone who grew the wheat to make the noodles. All these other things. But you guys also have something to offer." [14:53] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "There's a piece of poverty that many of us don't know about. And that is the poverty of feeling like you have nothing to offer. And he said, I don't know. He said, it is so important for everyone to feel like they have something to offer. So even though, yes, this was his whole crop of green beans, he was offering to us. And by accepting, we were acknowledging that even though he's poor, he has something to give. And you know, that's a piece of hospitality that we don't often think about. When we think of hospitality, we think of one way. We give to somebody else. But a piece of hospitality is also accepting and allowing them to give back to us so that it's a mutual gift." [52:55] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "And when we're truly open to hospitality. It becomes a mutual gift. And both of us experience blessing. But why is it so hard for us? Why do we struggle receiving hospitality from someone else? There was a young girl named Rachel who was in college. And she had been adopted by a family in her church who wanted to kind of provide a home away from home for her. And she would go. And she would offer to drive the kids to their bed. And she would say, no, no, no, we have it. And she said, as much as they wanted to include me in their family, I felt like I was more of a project, that I was needy rather than need-ed." [54:01] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "And it's hard for us, because what it requires is for us to be vulnerable. See, when we're giving to other people, we're in control. When we're receiving, we're no longer in control. And we have to be vulnerable. And it's hard for us. And yet, it was not hard for Jesus. Jesus allowed himself to be served. We see many, many stories. We see stories where Jesus allows himself to be served at people's houses for meals. He allows his feet to be washed. And in this story, we see that Jesus comes in, and he sees Peter's mother-in-law sick. And so he touches her, and she's healed. And then she gets up and serves him. And he allows that. He allows himself to be served by this person." [55:47] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "And so Jesus. Jesus shows us a different way, where, yes, he heals us, and then he allows us to serve him. So in this beautiful gift of hospitality, it's a giving and a receiving. The blessings flow back and forth, and the lines are blurred about who is the needy one and who is the one who is serving. I remember when Bo and I were in divinity school. We are middle year. We're in the middle of the year. We had a duke graduate fellowship. And so this was for graduate students. We were interns at Duke Chapel. Worked under Will Willeman. And we had graduate students from the law school, from the medical school, from divinity school, from any, all of the schools." [59:30] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "And here I went, thinking I had nothing to offer. And yet what Jesus wanted was for me to be healed. And that's what happens when we're open to these sorts of blessings, when we not only see hospitality as us offering to others, but we are open to see what others have to offer to us. We're open to seeing how every encounter can be a blessing. Can you imagine how different your day would be if you thought, every encounter I have today is going to be a flow of blessings. I can bless someone else, they can bless me, and God will be there right in the midst of it." [01:03:48] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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