Embracing Hospitality: Trusting God's Abundant Love

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God’s Abundance

When we trust that God will provide, we are freed to share generously with others, knowing that there will be enough for all. The story of Elisha feeding a hundred people with just twenty loaves of barley bread reminds us that God’s provision often exceeds our expectations, turning scarcity into abundance. This trust is not just about material things, but about believing that God’s love and grace are more than sufficient for every need. When we act in faith, even small offerings can become great blessings for many, and we discover that God’s abundance is meant to be shared. [43:48]

2 Kings 4:42-44 (ESV)
A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give to the men, that they may eat.” But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel there is “not enough,” and how might you trust God to provide so that you can share with others today?

Day 2: Hospitality Begins with Trust

At the heart of true hospitality is a deep trust in God’s care and provision. When we believe that we are loved, that we belong, and that God will meet our needs, we are able to welcome others into our lives and communities without fear or reservation. This trust allows us to open our hearts and homes, to make space for strangers, and to extend kindness even when it feels risky. Hospitality is not just about offering food or shelter, but about creating a sense of belonging rooted in the assurance that God’s love is enough for everyone. [42:09]

Matthew 6:25-26 (ESV)
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

Reflection: Is there someone you could welcome or include this week, trusting that God’s love is enough for both of you?

Day 3: Receiving and Sharing Every Gift

Everything we have—our resources, our talents, even our very lives—is a gift from God, meant not to be hoarded but to be shared. When we recognize the world as a gift, we become part of a beautiful web of reciprocity, where giving and receiving flow freely in community. This perspective shifts us from a mindset of scarcity to one of gratitude and generosity, inviting us to bless others as we have been blessed. In sharing our gifts, we participate in God’s ongoing work of abundance and grace in the world. [45:58]

James 1:17 (ESV)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Reflection: What is one gift—big or small—that you have received from God, and how can you share it with someone else this week?

Day 4: Creating a Community of Belonging

Many people struggle with their identity and long for a place where they are accepted and loved just as they are. God calls us to be a community that welcomes everyone, especially those who feel like outsiders or who are searching for belonging. When we reach out to those who are alone or struggling, we become instruments of God’s healing and hospitality, reminding them that they are enough and that they matter. Our small acts of kindness and inclusion can be the difference between isolation and hope for someone in need. [54:05]

Romans 15:7 (ESV)
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Reflection: Who in your school, workplace, or neighborhood might be feeling left out, and how can you help them feel that they belong?

Day 5: Living Out God’s Radical Welcome

God’s hospitality is wide and unconditional, embracing each of us with open arms and inviting us to do the same for others. Through Jesus’ sacrifice and the presence of the Holy Spirit, we are assured that we always belong to God, no matter our differences or struggles. As we live out this radical welcome, we become a reflection of God’s love to the world, offering acceptance, forgiveness, and grace to all. Let us look for opportunities to say to others, “You belong,” and to embody the abundant hospitality of God in every interaction. [57:02]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV)
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can show someone today that they are truly welcome and loved, just as they are?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered as a community to reflect on the profound power of hospitality and the deep trust in God that undergirds it. Each person, whether present in the sanctuary or joining from afar, is a vital part of this tapestry—reminded that God’s love knows no boundaries and that every small act of welcome matters. We celebrated the ways our church has extended hospitality, especially through the ISOP ministry, which provided meals and community to students from a dozen different countries. This ministry, led by Dottie and a team of volunteers, is a living example of how ordinary people, by offering their unique gifts, can create extraordinary moments of belonging and care.

As we blessed our children returning to school, we recognized that God’s presence goes with them, just as God’s presence is with all who step into new seasons of life. The story of Elisha feeding a hundred people with twenty loaves of barley bread became a touchstone for us—a reminder that when we trust God, what we have is enough, and often, there is even abundance to share. This trust is not just about material provision, but about believing that we are loved, that we belong, and that we are called to extend that belonging to others.

We explored how hospitality is rooted in trust: trust that God will provide, trust that we are enough, and trust that our acts of welcome can ripple outward, blessing others. The gifts we receive are not meant to be hoarded, but to be shared, creating a web of reciprocity and mutual care. This is not just a biblical principle, but a truth echoed in cultures around the world, where gifts are meant to circulate and bless many.

Yet, we also acknowledged the pain that comes when community fails—when people are left isolated, struggling with identity, and searching for belonging in all the wrong places. The tragic story from Minnesota reminded us of the urgent need to be a community where all are welcomed, where no one is left alone in their struggle, and where love and acceptance are not withheld. We are called to be vigilant, to notice the outsiders, and to offer the kind of radical hospitality that Jesus modeled—a hospitality that says, “You belong,” no matter who you are or where you come from.

Key Takeaways

1. True hospitality is rooted in trust—trust that God will provide, that we are enough, and that there is always enough to share. When we live from this place of trust, we are freed from anxiety and able to extend ourselves generously to others, knowing that God’s abundance is not diminished by our giving. [42:09]
2. Every act of welcome, no matter how small, is significant. Whether it’s greeting someone at the door, preparing a meal, or simply noticing someone who feels out of place, these actions weave a fabric of belonging that can transform lives and communities. Our unique gifts, when offered in love, become part of God’s ongoing work in the world. [19:42]
3. The gifts we receive are not meant to be kept for ourselves, but to be shared and multiplied. Like the story of Elisha and the feeding of the hundred, and the cultural traditions that expect gifts to keep circulating, we are invited to see everything as a gift from God—meant to flow through us to others, creating a web of reciprocity and blessing. [45:58]
4. Community is essential for trust and healing. Isolation breeds fear and despair, but when we are connected to others, we are better able to trust, to heal, and to see ourselves as part of something larger. Our calling is to ensure that no one is left alone, especially those who are struggling with identity, grief, or rejection. [51:19]
5. Radical hospitality is a response to God’s love for us—a love that welcomes even the outsider and the enemy. In a world where so many are searching for belonging, we are called to be a community that says, “You belong,” and to embody the abundant, inclusive love of Christ. This is not just a nice idea, but a matter of life and death, as we seek to be part of the solution to the loneliness and violence in our world. [56:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Embracing Community and Small Actions
[03:45] - Greeting Online Worshippers
[05:30] - Focus on Hospitality
[07:00] - Children’s Time: Back to School and ISOP Ministry
[14:14] - Feeding Students from Around the World
[19:42] - The Power of Teamwork and Welcoming
[22:21] - Blessing Backpacks and Volunteers
[24:00] - God’s Love Expands Beyond Walls
[25:30] - Personal Story: Trust and Generosity
[38:55] - Small Groups and Community Support
[42:09] - Trust as the Root of Hospitality
[43:48] - Elisha’s Story: Abundance and First Fruits
[45:58] - Gifts Meant to Be Shared
[49:48] - The Web of Reciprocity
[51:19] - The Pain of Isolation and Community’s Role
[54:05] - The Need for Belonging
[56:02] - Radical Hospitality and Being Part of the Solution
[57:02] - Living Out God’s Abundant Welcome
[61:24] - Closing and Blessings

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Kings 4:42-44 (ESV) — > A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give to the men, that they may eat.” But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.

Matthew 6:25-26 (ESV) — > “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

Observation Questions

In the story of Elisha, what was the servant’s concern when asked to feed a hundred people with only twenty loaves of barley? (2 Kings 4:43)
According to the sermon, what are some specific ways our church has practiced hospitality recently? [15:30]
What does Jesus say about worry and God’s provision in Matthew 6:25-26?
What happened after Elisha’s servant obeyed and distributed the bread? (2 Kings 4:44)

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Elisha was so confident that there would be enough food for everyone? What does this say about his trust in God? [43:48]
The sermon described hospitality as being rooted in trust. How does trusting God change the way we welcome and care for others? [42:09]
The story from Minnesota was shared as an example of what happens when community fails. What does this teach us about the importance of belonging and inclusion? [51:19]
The gifts we receive are described as not just for ourselves, but to be shared. How does this idea challenge the way we think about what we have? [45:58]

Application Questions

Think about a time when you felt like you didn’t have “enough”—enough time, resources, or energy. How did you respond? How might trusting God’s abundance change your response next time? [43:48]
The sermon highlighted small acts of welcome, like greeting someone at the door or preparing a meal. What is one small act of hospitality you can offer this week, either at church or in your daily life? [19:42]
The ISOP ministry provided meals and community to students from many countries. Is there someone in your life who might feel like an outsider? What is one practical way you could help them feel like they belong? [15:30]
The sermon mentioned that gifts are meant to be shared and multiplied. Is there a gift, resource, or talent you have been holding onto that you could share with others? What would it look like to let it “circulate”? [45:58]
When you notice someone who seems isolated or out of place, what usually goes through your mind? What might it look like to respond with “radical hospitality” instead? [56:02]
The story of Robin in Minnesota was a sobering reminder of the consequences of isolation. How can our small group or church be more intentional about making sure no one is left alone in their struggle? [51:19]
The sermon said, “You belong,” is a message everyone needs to hear. Who in your life needs to hear this from you, and how can you communicate it to them this week? [57:02]

Sermon Clips

Every single one of you does something that makes our world a better place. So I invite you to give us the gift of who you are by signing in on one of the blue connection pads that's somewhere down your aisle. And allow it to be a way for you to say to us, I want to be a part of those small actions every day that make a big difference. But also allow it to be a way for us to say to you, God calls you by name and we want to call you by name. You matter to us. [00:05:48] (32 seconds) #SignInToBelong

If we trust that God's going to provide, then we can share with others. If we trust that we are lovable and enough, then we can go out and make friends and not be afraid, not be afraid of any rejection or anything like that, because we are lovable. We're worth being friends with, right? [00:42:34] (16 seconds) #SharingBlessingsContinues

When it's a gift, we think, it's mine, right? And we don't realize that when it's a gift, it's meant to be shared, it's meant to continue giving and blessing others. And Elisha certainly understood that, and he understood that so well that his fame for welcoming people and feeding them and caring for them was known not only in his own land, but there was a young servant girl who was captured during one of the wars. [00:47:12] (30 seconds) #GiftsAreMeantToShare

Can you imagine having a reputation of such amazing hospitality that you would even welcome your enemy and heal them? Well, Elisha did eventually heal Naaman. That's a whole other story, so we won't go there, but he did receive that healing. And so he was known for this hospitality, this gift. [00:48:12] (24 seconds) #HospitalityHealsEnemies

And so we get this sense of just sheer abundance, and that everything we have is a gift. Did we do anything to be born here in the United States, most of us, not all of us, and get education and food and beautiful houses? And do we do anything to make the sun rise in the morning or set in the evening? No, it's all a gift. [00:48:54] (29 seconds) #LifeIsAGiftToShare

To name the world as gift is to feel your membership in the web of reciprocity, right? So that means that if we recognize that everything is a gift, then we recognize that we are all part of this beautiful web of humanity, and that we offer our own part, and we receive gifts from others. So there's this kind of mutuality, this give and take, this wonderful sense that in community, there will be enough. [00:50:03] (34 seconds) #IsolationBlocksTrust

There's enough love in this place. There's enough grace in this world. There's enough forgiveness through Christ. There is enough acceptance in this community so that even those on the outside can find a place and know that they belong. [00:56:30] (20 seconds) #GodsPermanentPresence

Because I think that's what God wants for all of us. That's what this hospitality stuff is all about, is that God has welcomed us with open arms. And in fact, Jesus decided to die on a cross so that we could experience God's permanent presence with us. Always. [00:56:50] (24 seconds) #BelongingThroughGodsLove

So, as that Holy Spirit lives in you, I invite you to look for those opportunities to say to people, you belong. You can belong here at Upworth. You may be strange. You may act differently. You can belong here. Because God loves me. God loves you. God loves you. And therefore, God loves everyone. [00:57:14] (27 seconds) #BeASolutionOfBelonging

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