3 John-- Hospitality and Hostility

I used to travel extensively as an itinerant evangelist. I was young and single and would often be gone for 30 days at a time. During those travel days, as I worked with churches, schools, prisons and anywhere else where people would listen to me, I was richly blessed by the hospitality of many people. Often a family would let me stay at their home while I was ministering at their church. Others would take me to dinner or fill up my car with gas. Many times I had just enough gas money to make it to the church where I was speaking. If they weren't generous, I wouldn't make it home. But I was never stranded--God's people always came through for me. During those years, I came to really appreciate 3 John. You see, 3 John encourages God's people to show hospitality to those who are traveling for the sake of the gospel (vv5-8). It also gives us an example of someone who did the opposite. A man named Diotrephes loved to "have the preeminence among them" (v9). This church member was self-serving, hurtful with his words, and hostile towards those who were traveling for Christ's sake (v10). The sad thing is that I'm afraid too many churches--maybe even most--have at least one Diotrephes in their congregation. Even sadder, there have been many church splits, church disbandings, and ministers forced out of churches thanks to modern day Diotrephes. May it never be said of you or me that we acted like Diotrephes. Instead, let us respond with love and selflessness towards others in our churches and let's do what we can to support those who tirelessly travel to proclaim Christ.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.