She was a worshiper of God but had did not have the full gospel.  When she did hear the gospel, she received. And the first thing she did?  She helped her family come to know the gospel. And then she insisted that the traveling evangelists stay at her home.

The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.  And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us (Acts 16:14-15).

That is how the story of how her house became central to the gospel.  So much so that when Paul and Silas were released from prison, it was to her house that they went directly afterwards.

So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed (Acts 16:40).

The truth is that hospitality isn’t easy.  It disrupts your life, it costs the expense of extra food and resources, and then you live with people who do things differently.  There’s a reason Peter needed to remind believers about their attitude.

But there is a blessing hosts receive that others do not get.  They get the nations in their home, they get the stories and the gospel and further teaching as well as so much more.  They may even get angels (Heb 13:2).

Hospitality is a virtue of the Christian faith.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality (Romans 12:12-13).

We are to be eager to show hospitality, especially to the saints.

The actions of Lydia touched me reading this.  She was insistent that they stay with her.  She was insistent that she get to bless them.  And I believe she got the blessing in return.

Let’s remember to show hospitality.  Eagerly.  Without grumbling.  Being a blessing.  Getting blessed.

And to those who have been generous with hospitality towards me the last year, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I have prayed for you.  That the Lord would give you an extra blessing.  And I hope that you sense it fully.