Giving and Receiving - A Different Perspective

 

     Today I discovered a new lesson in Matthew 10 that my eyes had never seen.  In this chapter, Jesus is sending the disciples out on a mission trip.  He is giving specific instructions.  I have always viewed this story as the disciple's responsibility to proclaim the kingdom, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons.  From this angle, the lesson looks like a to-do list.  The disciples were also told not to take any silver, gold, or copper for their money belts, pack extra belongings but to offer their peace as they enter a house.  It had never crossed my mind to consider that a significant part of the disciple's assignment was to purposefully be on the receiving end of hospitality.  They were to find worthy men and women to proclaim the gospel, not throwing their pearls before the swine.  The disciples were to observe the reception they received.  If they were welcomed with open arms, they were to enter.  However, if the household lacked hospitality, they were asked to wipe the dust from their sandals and leave.  The lesson I'd failed to see in previous readings became more apparent as I finished reading Matthew 10. 

     The hospitable party would receive the disciple's message leading to an eternal reward.  The frosty reception of the other would be void of both good news and the eternal reward.  Jesus professed a woe upon them.  God would offer an eternal blessing to the host in the disciple's willingness to humbly accept hospitality. Let's look at Matthew 10:40-42 (ESV).

"Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.  The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward.  And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."

 In other words, when the disciple's received, the seed they sowed within this household would take root and produce an eternal blessing. 

     It must have been hard for the disciples to travel empty-handed. Isn't it easier to think of ourselves as givers, or at least self-sufficient?  Ask anyone, and they will tell you that it is better to give than receive.  When we give to others, our hearts feel joyful.  Although this is a rhetorical question, I need to ask, "how do you feel when you receive but are not able to give or repay someone's kindness?  The disciples were to be in search of worthy homes.  Hospitality was a sign of worthiness to receive the gospel message.  Jesus explained by offering the reward that would be waiting for an excellent host.

     I have a beautiful mother-in-law.  She has always been great at giving of herself to others, but she is terrible at receiving.  She would repeatedly say to her sons, "I don't want to be a bother."   Can you relate to this experience?  Has someone rejected your goodwill toward them?  Although it is a privilege to serve one another, what we exchange here on earth has temporal value.  Jesus was sending the disciples on a mission that would produce eternal value.  The disciples had to be willing to be on the receiving end so that God's message could pass from their lips.  There would be no seed sown without the receipt of hospitality.   

A Good Host: 

     Let's take a look at Scriptures and find other stories of hospitality, beginning with the story in Genesis 18:1-15.  You may recall the story of Abraham sitting outside his tent when three men approach him.  Abraham immediately said, "O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that, you may pass on—since you have come to your servant."    A team effort quickly ensued as Abram and Sarai treated their guests with the utmost respect and then received the news of Isaac's birth.

A Good Host in a Bad Community: 

     You may also recall the story of the Levite who visited Gibeah in Judges 19-21.  As he and his concubine entered the city, they received no hospitality, but later that evening, a generous man welcomed them into his home.  Later greeted by a knock on the door, worthless men desired to cast shame upon the Levite.  By morning his concubine was dead.  It was not long after this story that we learn about the final fate of Benjamite women and children.  Have you ever considered, had it not been for the virgins of Jabesh Gilead (the tribe of Manasseh) and the virgins of Shiloh (the tribe of Ephraim) offered to the Benjamite men, we wouldn't have either King Saul nor the apostle Paul?  

A Bad Host with a Good Guest: 

     Lastly, let's consider the story found in Luke 7 about the Pharisee named Simon.  Jesus tells a story and then responds directly to his host with these words.  In Luke 7:44-47 (ESV), we read, "Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in, she has not ceased to kiss my feet.  You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little loves little."

     When I read this passage, I had to consider that there are times when receiving is giving, and at times it might be more gracious to receive than give?  The disciples had to discern a good host from an unwelcoming host.  In their discernment, they offered the gift of God's kingdom, which produced eternal rewards for the host and hostess.  In this case, the disciple was not arriving empty-handed but was presenting an everlasting gift.  As God's people, we, too, can offer this same gift by sowing a seed leading to salvation.