Poor People: Our Parties
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Hebrews 13:2 (ESV)
‘The King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed Me, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” ‘
Matthew 25:34-36 (ESV)
As a kid, I was nerdy, fat, and shy. I felt socially “unacceptable”. I was “poor” in image and poor in friends.
However, the rest of my family (my father, mother, brothers, and cousins) were charming, outgoing, and popular– with places to go and people to see. The funny thing is… my WHOLE FAMILY was popular.
Was I a genetic anomaly?
In fellowship, I was a poor person: the least likely to be invited. I wasn't on the social calendar. Since then, God ushered in a major change. (Hindsight: God wanted me to go deeper.)
My family in Christ is INVITING. It’s large, kind, loving, and compassionate. It extends open arms to everyone, including and pointedly, to the poor– because “poverty” can take many forms.
Luke 14 includes party planning tips.* They begin when Jesus went out to eat at a Pharisee’s house on the Sabbath. Consider some unusual lessons the Son of God shared with Jewish leaders:
Neither social nor religious customs kept Him from doing good at the party. When He saw a sick man, Jesus healed him.
He didn’t like “priority seating.” He revealed the Lord’s pleasure and reward… for those who choose “lowly places” to sit.
He encourages every dinner host to ask poor, needy, and lonely people, with the promise of God's grand repayment!
Christ’s invitation list and commission… must remain our most important “to-do’s.” If we make excuses, we'll be replaced.
Poor People: Our Parties (Part 19)
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.
* Luke 14:1-24, which includes two Parables regarding our parties. Luke 14:1-24 NASB - Jesus Heals on the Sabbath - It - Bible Gateway