Managing Your Home (4) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Author: Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Managing Your Home (4)

Dear Reader,

For the past weeks now, we have been looking at how to manage our home.  We have seen from the previous teachings man’s placement in the home. From the Scriptures, we have evidence of some individuals who succeeded in their homes. Also, last week, we saw how effective the tool of prayer is in home management.

This week, we will be looking at Hospitality in the home. You must be sold out to hospitality; it’s the path to God’s presence and honour in your marriage and home. Hospitality is the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests or strangers, especially in one’s own home. Being friendly (Hospitable) is very important in marriage. Before a true marriage occurs, there will be some sort of friendship going on between the two parties. A friendly and open home is commended by God and receives honour and promotion from both God and men.

Genuine and sincere, hospitality brings with it certain honours; though it may take a great deal of sacrifice, it has great rewards also. Rebecca is an example of one whose hospitality led to marriage. When Abraham’s servant came to Mesopotamia to take a wife for Isaac, he stopped and looked up and said a prayer to God: ...Let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, let down thy pitcher, I pray thee that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac… (Genesis 24:14).

The servant, knowing the kind of family to which Isaac belonged (a family addicted to hospitality) prayed for a kind and hospitable wife for Isaac. He knew that any woman who would offer water to a stranger and his camels, could take special care of Isaac. The criteria were not possessions, height, beauty or education, just a warm, loving heart.

It is a known fact that where the angels of God are found, signifies God’s presence. It is an honour to have angels as your guest, especially since we know that they never come and leave without a good report.  God’s Word says:  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2).

Abraham is an example of someone who entertained angels. Together with his wife, they both made the visitors feel welcome, relaxed and refreshed. Abraham and Sarah, by their hospitality, received a definite time as to when their son would be born (Genesis 18:9-10). They were to enjoy the honour of parenting by that singular act of hospitality.

Concerning this, the Scripture says: Distributing to the necessity of saints: given to hospitality (Romans 12:13). When you are given to hospitality, you distribute to the necessity of the saints. As a distributor of blessings, you will never lack blessings. At the same time, you never lose your reward.

Many women are easily irritated. They are unapproachable and explode in anger and resentment too easily. Rather than being one of such, be accommodative. Let your home be conducive for people to stay and get blessed.  By so doing, Sarah and Abraham entertained angels unawares and set pace for their long-awaited miracle. Read the story of the Shunamite woman in 2 Kings 4:8-10. She was referred to as “a great woman.” What made her become a great woman? HOSPITALITY! Your greatness in life has to do with your level of hospitality.

If you are not hospitable, your greatness may remain a dream that may never be realized. This woman always constrained Elisha, the man of God to eat and tarry in their home. She made her home a comfortable place for Elisha, the minister. No wonder, her prayer was heard and she bore a son after many years of barrenness, according to the word of the prophet (verses10 –17). Not only that, her dead son was also raised back to life later on. Hospitality will make you more fruitful than you are right now. Don’t always eat all your food and drink all your water alone, sharing with nobody!  Try to be hospitable to others.

You need the grace of God upon your life to be hospitable. This grace can only be accessed by those who are the children of God. You become a child of God by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.  If you are set for it, please say this prayer:  “Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today acknowledging that I am a sinner who needs Your forgiveness. I believe You died for me and rose again on the third day. Forgive me of my sins, wash me with Your Blood and write my name in the Lamb’s Book of life. Thank You Lord for saving me.”

Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).