June 22

2 Kings 4:8-17

Enough room(s)

One day Elisha went to a town called Shunem. A woman who lived there with her husband invited him to stay for a meal. She told Elisha that he should come and eat with them whenever he passed through their town.

One day the woman said to her husband, “I know that this man is a holy man of God. Let’s build a small room on the roof of our house and put in a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp. Then he can stay with us whenever he comes this way.”

One day, while Elisha was in his new room, he called the woman and said to her, “About this time next year, you will have a son.” The woman became pregnant and had a son the following year, just as Elisha had said.

What is hospitality?

Have your parents ever invited someone to stay in your home for a few days or even a few months? It may have been your grandparents or a friend who needed a place to stay.

The Holy Spirit has given some people the gift of hospitality. People with this gift are especially good at making others feel welcome in their home, whether for a meal or a place to stay. Whether you have the gift of hospitality or not, you can still make others feel welcome. The Bible says, “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:9–10).

Although the woman and her husband did not have enough space at first, they made a plan and did what they could. You may not be able to invite others into your home right now, but you can still share what you have.

For example, you could show a new student at school where everything is and introduce them to your friends. You can also be friendly to new children at church so that they will look forward to coming again. Simply share what you have with others—even if it is just your big smile!

Verse for today

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13