Surprise! Uncle Arnie calls and announces that his son and daughter-in-law are in town. Would we like to get together? God’s grace and remembering that we had some good dinner options in the freezer helped me respond with, “Come on over!” God’s blessing reigned that evening as we ended up singing oldies together, something we never would have imagined doing with some folks we barely knew.

In the Book of Ruth, we learn that recently widowed Ruth joins her widowed mother-in-law as she returns to Bethlehem from Moab. A gentleman named Boaz (a resident of Bethlehem) invites Ruth the Moabitess (historically an enemy of Israel) to share a meal. The compassion, generosity, and acceptance Boaz demonstrates to this foreigner raises her status from one considered lower than his servants to someone worthy of sitting alongside the harvesters or as part of his family.

All believers are called to be hospitable, even if it is not our area of giftedness. Today, a shared table may simply be inviting others to join us at a restaurant. The task is not that difficult but the ramifications may be better than you can imagine.

Jesus said, “… When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed” (Luke 14:12-14a).

Reaching out to others that are different from us may stretch us in a way where all are blessed. Watch for an opportunity to share a meal with someone new.

Do it all for the glory of God!