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In this day and age, when we say hospitality, we automatically think of such things as food, drink, lodging and good times. Although this is part of biblical hospitality, it is not the full meaning. The purpose believers gather, primarily is to worship God. The act of worshiping God has a number of elements:

a. call to worship (Ex.19:10-13) 
b. reading of the word (Ex.20-23), 
c. response by the people – song and/or liturgy (Ex.24:3), 
d. sacrifice – tithes and offerings (Ex. 24:5-8) and 
e. communal meal (Ex.24:11).

These elements are applicable to all occasions when we gather to worship God. There are a number of reasons as to why God gathers believers:

a. holy convocations (corporate worship) 
b. hospitality gatherings 
c. yeshivah (study of God’s word) 
d. prayer

Since worshiping God is the key to any gathering, what else is involved in biblical hospitality and whom do we share the Word of God with?

In Romans 12:13 we are given instructions of, “contributing to the needs of the saints practicing hospitality.” In the Greek, hospitality is literally translated as “love of strangers.” Showing love to a stranger involves receiving them as a guest: that is to entertain. What constitutes a stranger, which could also mean a foreigner? In the biblical sense, not only is a stranger/foreigner of a far away land, but more specifically they have no understanding or knowledge of the One True God, Ephesians 2:13 –“remember that you were at that time separate from Messiah, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”

I should also note, biblical hospitality take’s place in a safe environment, usually in the home of a believer. Therefore, to enlighten strangers, we require a reason to gather. Hospitality gatherings are dictated by;

a. God’s appointed times, as outlined in Lev. 23 
b. Events; Purim and Hanukah, fast dates (Zech 8:19) 
c. Signs; new moon, seasons, days, keeping of time/calendars (Genesis 1:14) 
d. Jewish life cycle is also filled with events that bring people together.

Therefore, when we gather the most important component of hospitality is sharing God’s word. Secondly, giving commandments and principles; tithe, offerings, and alms. Being a good steward enables you to continually practice hospitality, especially if you are a deacon or an elder. Lodging is the third principle, which is considered a few hours to an overnight stay. If people are invited to your home, say for a Passover Seder, respect is required from the guests, whether believers or strangers wanting to know the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Concerning an overnight stay, only receive or give lodging to disciples of long standing, see Acts 21:16 and Philemon 1:22. Finally, we have the food laws, as outlined in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14:4-21. These four components make up biblical hospitality.

Shalom, 
Tom