How to Be a Five-star Host

For hotels, star-ratings are a lifeline to business. Devised in 1958, travelers still determine where to book their accommodations based on a property’s rating. Three stars represent the typical hotel offering room service, daily cleaning, wireless internet and 24-hour reception. Travelers looking for a more luxurious experience will book at a four- or five-star resort. Those booking rooms at a one- or two-star location can expect perhaps a motel room with very basic services.

Another determining factor in a hotel’s rank is the hospitability of its staff. Travel agency Five Star Alliance describes a top-rated hotel employee as someone who is “polite, attentive, discreet, and can anticipate guests’ needs.”

Christians have access to something the hospitality industry does not have: the Spirit of the most hospitable Being in the universe. A Christian is given power to become a spiritual five-star host.

We get better at this godly character trait the more we “use hospitality one to another” (I Pet. 4:9) and are “given to” it (Rom. 12:13).

Abraham left us a stellar biblical example of those verses in action. His special treatment of guests was so noteworthy that God allowed it to be recorded in Genesis 18. Read verses 1-8.

“And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; and he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, and said, My Lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, pass not away, I pray you, from your servant: let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: and I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort you your hearts; after that you shall pass on: for therefore are you come to your servant. And they said, So do, as you have said.

“And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hastened to dress it. And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.”

Have you ever noticed how much detail God included in this account? An important reason is so we could learn true Christian hospitality.

As “the father of the faithful” (Gal. 3:7-9), Abraham demonstrated his faith by his hospitality. This aspect of Christianity transcends hosting someone in your home. It is a mindset that applies to all your interactions. When we are hospitable, we are not just being nice—we are doing a good work that keeps our faith alive (Jms. 2:14-26).

Here are practical tips in hospitality we can learn from Abraham’s example.

Greet Eagerly

Rather than complain as the three beings approached his tent, Abraham enthusiastically “ran to meet them.” He applied what the apostle Peter later admonished brethren to do: “Use hospitality one to another without grudging” (I Pet. 4:9). The word “grudging” in Greek means to murmur or grumble.

In Abraham’s case, he knew the three were spiritual beings—including one of the God-beings. If he had been reluctant to entertain them, he would have missed out on entertaining God Himself.

Although it is rare in our age to be approached by a spirit being, we are to treat other Christians as if they were Christ Himself (Matt. 25:34-40).

A straightforward way to apply this tip is to acknowledge brethren at Sabbath services. Philippians 4:21 says “Greet all the saints.” Did we do so last Sabbath? How about this week? While it may not always be possible to greet every person every Sabbath, especially in a large congregation, you should show that you value everyone present.

If you have been assigned as the greeter in your congregation, you know well just how rewarding it is to say hello to everyone before it is time to start services. It is the secret to a great mood every Sabbath, not only for yourself, but to everyone you acknowledge.

Invite People Over

Abraham did not just greet the visitors at the tent door. He insisted that they stay. That is the equivalent of inviting people over.

God invited every single one of us to His unified Church (Eph. 4:4, I Pet. 2:9). We should then be inviting toward one another.

If our circumstances allow us to have people over to our home, we should periodically do so. Whenever that is not possible, we can be creative and resourceful. Not enough privacy at home? Why not meet at a restaurant or a coffee shop? How about a picnic at a park?

Invite those who do not normally spend time with one another. Hosting is an easy and enjoyable way to develop closer and meaningful relationships with a variety of people. Also, it is a way to serve and give to those who may not otherwise be invited elsewhere. Jesus Christ taught, “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me” (Matt. 25:40).

Beware of the tendency to invite only your close friends. Remember Christ’s command in Luke 14:12-14: “When you make a dinner or a supper, call not your friends, nor your brethren, neither your kinsmen, nor your rich neighbors; lest they also bid you again, and a recompence be made you. But when you make a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and you shall be blessed; for they cannot recompense you: for you shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.”

It is natural to invite people with whom we are comfortable. But we are exercising our faith if we seek those who truly need and would appreciate help. This is especially true for brethren in the Church.

This tip is easy to apply at services. It can be as simple as telling someone, “Let’s sit together.” Or asking during the shared meal, “Would you like to join me at the table?” One way to know that we should be doing this more often is when we find ourselves sitting with or by the same people too often. Be sure to mix it up!

Make Others Comfortable

The next tip: Abraham sought to comfort his guests by offering to wash their feet and have them sit in the shade of a tree.

That took forethought. Recall that one of the characteristics of a five-star hotel employee is the ability to anticipate guests’ needs. Back then, Abraham would have anticipated that it would be refreshing for his guests to have their feet cleaned. Perhaps they wore sandals, and the dirt road to his tent was dusty.

While we do not practice that custom today, we should keep a mutual “wash each other’s feet” approach in our interactions (John 13:12-14). Matthew 7:12 is also fitting: “All things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them.”

Before having people over, walk through the meeting step by step in your mind, taking note of how you would like to be treated. Ways to apply this include offering to carry guests’ luggage in, pointing out where the bathroom is, putting pets away (guests may be allergic or uncomfortable with animals), kindly mentioning your preference for shoes to be taken off inside, and deciding the best place to allow them to relax and feel at home. Think of the minute details that would help others feel comfortable.

You can also ask ahead of time what they typically enjoy. Realize that this may involve things you would not normally do, for example by preparing coffee for someone who likes it when you are not a java drinker. Or if your guests have children, you can think of an activity they could do while adults socialize.

At services, this could take the form of opening doors for others, helping them carry their belongings or meal items into the meeting hall, picking up empty plates, cups, napkins, or utensils after they are finished eating, and so on.

Provide Food

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Genesis 18 account is that God ate the food Abraham prepared. Allow your imagination to soar and put yourself in Abraham’s place for a moment. Imagine God comes to visit you. Would you think to offer Him something to eat? Abraham did. And he cooked a calf—and God ate it!

Note that the patriarch gave the very best that he had without hesitation. We should have the same mindset, but you should not go beyond your means. It could be as simple as offering a snack and a drink. Or you may wish to order food for delivery. Whatever you can afford to share, no matter how simple, counts. If you are a good cook and would like to splurge, by all means, go for it! Whatever food you choose, remember this formula: food fuels fellowship.

If you are blessed with the ability to share a meal after services, the best way to practice this tip is to create a sign up of items for the shared meal.

Carefully consider Christ's words in Matthew 25: “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and you gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink” (vs. 34-35).

You may have never thought of it this way, but that food item you sign up for and bring in your congregation has Christ’s words written all over it!

Now, if that passage does not have you excited about potluck each week, verses 37 and 40 should: “Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we You an hungred, and fed You? Or thirsty, and gave You drink?…And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me.”

(As a side note, you can see why you should generally avoid fasting on the Sabbath. Doing so takes away the opportunity for others to fulfill these verses.)

If your meeting hall does not allow bringing food, there are ways to be creative. You may be able to go out to eat together occasionally or go to someone’s home after services. Every Sabbath and Holy Day we have opportunity to practice five-star hospitality and increase our reward.

Share Willingly

The father of the faithful did not hesitate to offer the best of his stores to entertain his guests. The Bible points out that the calf was “tender and good.” Abraham was not being stingy!

This tip is connected to faith. Are you ever hesitant to host when you have the opportunity because you fear you may not have enough to provide? Do you have the faith that God will bless you for hosting? If not, think about God’s promise that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Luke 6:38 expands on why blessings flow when we provide for others: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

Opportunities to practice this tip beyond hosting someone could include sharing a ride to services or to the Feast. If you are the one being given a ride, help with the cost of gas and tolls.

Likewise, sharing our talents to help further His Work, or even sharing our time, are ways to give the best of our stores.

Serve Guests

Jesus taught His disciples: “For who is greater, he that sits at meat, or he that serves? Is not he that sits at meat? But I am among you as He that serves” (Luke 22:27). As Christ’s disciples, we too must be people who serve.

Fellowshipping through entertaining guests is an opportunity to serve brethren. As we communicate with others who have the Holy Spirit, we also fellowship with the Father and Christ (I John 1:3).

Abraham’s example demonstrated that he loved people. He personally served his guests and did exactly as Christ commanded His disciples. As Christians, we must also love the brethren.

Notice, however, that Abraham did not do all the serving by himself. As the experienced leader he was, he knew to delegate some tasks. He gave some duties to his wife and to a young man. Perhaps they too delegated to others to get the job done. This practice allowed them to be more effective at serving their guests as a team. God was very pleased with their actions including how Abraham involved others in the job.

This can be very instructive for anyone hosting or even congregation hosts: Be sure to take on this powerful tip from Abraham! We all come to Sabbath services to serve. Make the most of every chance to involve others by giving them ways to serve also. If hosting at home, you can even ask guests to help with an aspect of presenting the meal.

While the term “host” may sound stressful, the definition is simply a person who receives or entertains others. A five-star host knows that “many hands make light work” is true and finds ways to make the experience more rewarding for everyone.

Cordial Goodbye

Today it is customary to accompany guests only to the front door of the house to say goodbye. Not so in Abraham’s time. “And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way” (Gen. 18:16). This same custom was still followed in the time of the New Testament Church, where the Ephesian brethren accompanied Paul to the ship to see him off (Acts 20:38).

As much as possible and appropriate, avoid sending guests off on their own. Instead, strive to accompany your guest to his or her car. If conversation flows while you are on your way out—this is good! It exemplifies brethren of the first-century Church who could not get enough of each other’s company: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (2:42).

Similarly at services, you should never leave abruptly after the “amen” or wolf down food at potluck and silently slip away. Remember that you are there to serve as a five-star host! Seek to fellowship. Actively look out for others to talk with and learn about.

Lastly, just as we greeted, we should bid a warm farewell until the next time.

Practice Makes Hospitable

Entertaining guests is a rewarding experience. As Christians, we should especially take pleasure in it. Being a host gives us the opportunity to develop the godly characteristics of kindness, goodness and mercy. Being hospitable creates in us a willingness to serve and love people and unifies the Church.

Reading about Abraham’s gleaming example of hospitality can leave us wondering whether we could ever catch up. Yet recognize that hospitality, as with any other skill, is perfected through practice. At some point in his life, Abraham witnessed other examples of serving. Genesis 14:18-19 offers a glimpse: “Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and He was the priest of the most high God. And He blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth.”

While he was still Abram, he was the recipient of the hospitality of the One who became Jesus Christ (Heb. 7). Surely this example left him inspired to be just as giving, kind and hospitable. He likely had many more opportunities to practice generosity toward others after his experience with Melchizedek.

If you put Abraham’s hospitality tips into practice, you will be well on your way to mastering the five-star host mindset. Adopting a mindset of hospitality at services and in every arena of your life will help you develop catering abilities befitting the planet’s most luxurious resorts!

Most important, you will be instrumental in helping the Church of God fulfill Psalm 133:1: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”