Today we had an impromptu Sunday Brunch potluck with my sister & her family, and our parents. Let's just talk about potlucks for a minute...why are they so overlooked and under-rated in the home? I know all about church potlucks, company potlucks, etc., but wouldn't family & friends get together more often if no one family was bearing all the financial and work burden? How easy is it to throw something in the crockpot and then relax with family or friends that night?! I know we would. Is it guilt? Like I would feel ashamed asking someone to "pitch in" because if it was my idea, I should cover it? Hmmmm....
Since the Bible tells us to "practice hospitality," then practice means to do it continually, habitually, improving all the while. Would it be wrong to potluck while practicing hospitality, or is the provision of all the food for all the people the heart of hospitality? Let's look at the definitions of these words/ideas:
Romans 12:12-14 states:
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."
From Webster's Dictionary~
PRACTICE:
1 a : carry out, applyb : to do or perform often, customarily, or habitually c : to be professionally engaged in
2 a : to perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficientb : to train by repeated exercises
3 obsolete : plot
intransitive verb
1 : to do repeated exercises for proficiency
2 : to pursue a profession actively
3 archaic : intrigue
4 : to do something customarily
HOSPITALITY:
hospitable treatment, reception, or disposition
HOSPITABLE:
Function: adjective
Meaning: showing a natural kindness and courtesy especially in social situations
GRACIOUS:
Since the Bible tells us to "practice hospitality," then practice means to do it continually, habitually, improving all the while. Would it be wrong to potluck while practicing hospitality, or is the provision of all the food for all the people the heart of hospitality? Let's look at the definitions of these words/ideas:
Romans 12:12-14 states:
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."
From Webster's Dictionary~
PRACTICE:
1 a : carry out, apply
2 a : to perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficient
3 obsolete : plot
intransitive verb
1 : to do repeated exercises for proficiency
2 : to pursue a profession actively
3 archaic : intrigue
4 : to do something customarily
HOSPITALITY:
hospitable treatment, reception, or disposition
HOSPITABLE:
Function: adjective
Meaning: showing a natural kindness and courtesy especially in social situations
GRACIOUS:
1 a obsolete : godly b archaic : pleasing, acceptable
2 a : marked by kindness and courtesy b : graceful c : marked by tact and delicacy : urbane d : characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, and the tasteful leisure of wealth and good breeding
3 : merciful, compassionate —used conventionally of royalty and high nobility
— gra·cious·ly adverb
— gra·cious·ness noun
synonyms gracious, cordial, affable, genial, sociable mean markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse. gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration
Here's a clear picture of the meaning of "practice hospitality": To be professionally engaged in, so as to become proficient at showing natural kindness and courtesy, especially in social situations, characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, and tasteful leisure of wealth and good breeding, demonstrating mercy and compassion.
POTLUCK:
1 a : the regular meal available to a guest for whom no special preparations have been made b : a communal meal to which people bring food to share —usually used attributively
2 : whatever is offered or available in given circumstances or at a given time
Wow! Is all I have to say about that. Practically speaking, the potluck shares the financial/work burden. "Is it authentically 'practicing hospitality'?" is the question of the day...
2 a : marked by kindness and courtesy b : graceful c : marked by tact and delicacy : urbane d : characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, and the tasteful leisure of wealth and good breeding
3 : merciful, compassionate —used conventionally of royalty and high nobility
— gra·cious·ly adverb
— gra·cious·ness noun
synonyms gracious, cordial, affable, genial, sociable mean markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse. gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration
Here's a clear picture of the meaning of "practice hospitality": To be professionally engaged in, so as to become proficient at showing natural kindness and courtesy, especially in social situations, characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, and tasteful leisure of wealth and good breeding, demonstrating mercy and compassion.
POTLUCK:
1 a : the regular meal available to a guest for whom no special preparations have been made b : a communal meal to which people bring food to share —usually used attributively
2 : whatever is offered or available in given circumstances or at a given time
Wow! Is all I have to say about that. Practically speaking, the potluck shares the financial/work burden. "Is it authentically 'practicing hospitality'?" is the question of the day...
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