“Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.” – Romans 14:1
What Does The Bible Say About Welcoming Visitors
Welcoming visitors is an important part of showing love and kindness as followers of Christ. The Bible teaches us to treat others with care, compassion, and hospitality, especially those who are new to our homes, churches, or communities. When we welcome visitors, we have the opportunity to reflect God’s love through our actions. It is not just about offering food or a place to rest, but also about making people feel valued and accepted.
Opening our doors to others allows us to create an environment where they can feel safe and cared for. This act of hospitality can build meaningful relationships and show others that they are not alone. Welcoming visitors is also a way to serve God because when we serve others, we honor Him. It reminds us to be generous, patient, and intentional in how we treat those who come into our lives.
Also Read: Bible Verses about Listening To Others
Welcoming Visitors with Love and Warmth
The Bible places a strong emphasis on the importance of showing love and warmth to visitors. Welcoming strangers into our homes and communities reflects the love of Christ and demonstrates the hospitality God calls us to. When we greet others with open arms, we create an environment that mirrors the grace and kindness of God. By making visitors feel valued and cared for, we open doors for meaningful connections and opportunities to share God’s love with them in a genuine way.
Matthew 25:35
“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room.”
Hebrews 13:2
“Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it!”
1 Peter 4:9
“Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully.”
Romans 12:13
“Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.”
Leviticus 19:34
“Treat the foreigner the same as a native. Love him like one of your own. Remember that you were once foreigners in Egypt. I am God, your God.”
Hospitality as a Reflection of God’s Love
Hospitality is a way to reflect God’s love to those around us. When we welcome visitors, whether they are strangers or friends, we imitate the kindness and generosity that God has shown to us. This act of hospitality isn’t just about providing physical comfort but also about creating a space where others can feel God’s peace and love. It is a powerful way to serve and share the message of the gospel, leaving a lasting impression of God’s character on those we meet.
Proverbs 3:27
“Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God’s hand for that person.”
Luke 14:12-14
“When you throw a dinner party, don’t just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors. The kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks.”
Acts 28:2
“The natives went out of their way to be friendly to us. It was cold and rainy—we were already soaked—and they built a huge bonfire and gathered us around it.”
3 John 1:5
“When you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible.”
Titus 1:8
“He must welcome people into his home. He must love what is good. He must be wise. He must live a holy life. He must control the things he does and thinks.”
Welcoming Visitors with Generosity
Generosity is at the heart of welcoming visitors. God calls us to share what we have with others, offering them a place of safety and comfort. Whether it is sharing a meal, providing a place to stay, or simply offering kind words, our generosity reflects God’s provision in our lives. When we extend a hand of friendship and share our resources, we create opportunities to build relationships and show the love of Christ in tangible ways that touch hearts and change lives.
2 Corinthians 9:7
“God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.”
Isaiah 58:7
“Share your food with the hungry, invite the homeless poor into your homes, put clothes on the shivering ill-clad, be available to your own families.”
Deuteronomy 15:10
“Give freely and spontaneously. Don’t have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures.”
Matthew 10:42
“This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing.”
Galatians 6:10
“Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.”
Welcoming Visitors with Kindness
Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit and a vital part of making visitors feel at home. A kind word, a warm smile, or a gentle gesture can make all the difference to someone visiting your home or church. God calls us to show compassion and care, especially to those who may feel out of place or alone. Through kindness, we reflect the heart of Christ and create an atmosphere where others feel valued, respected, and loved.
Colossians 3:12
“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.”
Ephesians 4:32
“Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.”
Proverbs 11:17
“When you’re kind to others, you help yourself; when you’re cruel to others, you hurt yourself.”
Zechariah 7:9
“Well, the message hasn’t changed. God-of-the-Angel-Armies said then and says now: Treat one another justly. Love your neighbors. Be compassionate with each other.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.”
Welcoming Visitors with Humility
Humility is essential when welcoming visitors because it puts others first and focuses on their needs. A humble heart serves without expecting anything in return, showing genuine care and love. The Bible teaches us to consider others better than ourselves and to serve with joy. When we welcome visitors with humility, we demonstrate the character of Christ, who came to serve and not to be served. This attitude creates a space where visitors feel truly cared for and appreciated.
Philippians 2:3
“Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.”
James 4:10
“Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.”
Matthew 23:12
“If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.”
Proverbs 22:4
“The payoff for meekness and Fear-of-God is plenty and honor and a satisfying life.”
1 Peter 5:5
“And you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for—God has had it with the proud, but takes delight in just plain people.”
Welcoming Visitors with a Heart of Service
Welcoming visitors involves a heart of service that seeks to meet their needs and make them feel comfortable. Service is at the core of the Christian life, and it is through serving others that we glorify God. When we welcome visitors with a servant’s heart, we honor their presence and reflect the humility of Christ. Serving others is not a burden but a joyful opportunity to share God’s love in practical and meaningful ways.
Mark 10:45
“That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away His life in exchange for many who are held hostage.”
Galatians 5:13
“It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.”
Matthew 20:28
“That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away His life in exchange for the many who are held hostage.”
Romans 15:2
“Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, ‘How can I help?’”
John 13:14
“If I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do.”
Welcoming Visitors with an Open Heart
An open heart allows us to welcome visitors without prejudice or hesitation. God desires that we embrace others regardless of their background, status, or appearance. When we welcome visitors with an open heart, we mirror the unconditional love that God shows to each of us. By accepting others as they are, we build bridges of connection and create a space where everyone feels valued and included. This open-hearted attitude is a powerful testimony of God’s grace at work in our lives.
Romans 15:7
“So reach out and welcome one another to God’s glory. Jesus did it; now you do it!”
James 2:1
“My dear friends, don’t let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith.”
1 John 4:11
“My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other.”
Galatians 3:28
“In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us, you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ.”
John 6:37
“Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go.”
Welcoming Visitors with Generosity
Generosity is a powerful way to make visitors feel valued and cherished. Offering time, resources, or simple acts of hospitality demonstrates the love of Christ in action. God has given us everything we have, and He calls us to share with others, especially those who come into our homes or churches. When we welcome visitors with generosity, we reflect God’s abundant provision and create an environment where people feel cared for and supported.
2 Corinthians 9:7
“God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.”
Proverbs 11:25
“The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.”
Luke 6:38
“Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”
Hebrews 13:16
“Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of ‘sacrifice’—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.”
Acts 20:35
“You’re not likely to go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.’”
Christian Quotes on Welcoming Visitors
“Hospitality is not about inviting people into our perfect homes; it’s about inviting them into our imperfect hearts. True hospitality shows the love of Christ, even in our messiness.” – Jen Schmidt
“The heart of hospitality is about creating space for someone to feel seen, heard, and loved. It’s about declaring your table a safe zone, a place of warmth and nourishment.” – Shauna Niequist
“Every time we open our doors to strangers, we open our hearts to Christ. The love we show to others in our homes echoes the love He first showed to us.” – Max Lucado
“Hospitality is an opportunity to serve Jesus by serving others. Every act of kindness and welcome becomes a seed planted for the Kingdom of God.” – Billy Graham
“Welcoming others isn’t about showcasing what we have; it’s about sharing who we are in Christ. It’s an invitation to experience His love through our lives.” – Francis Chan
“Our homes should be places of refuge, where visitors experience the grace and peace of Christ in every conversation and interaction.” – Rick Warren
“True hospitality requires humility. It’s not about impressing others but blessing them with the love and joy God has freely given us.” – John Piper
“The hospitality of the Gospel reminds us that we were once strangers, and now we are called to welcome others into the same grace we have received.” – Tim Keller
“Welcoming others is a reflection of God’s heart for humanity. Through hospitality, we mirror the open arms of Christ, inviting all to come and rest in Him.” – Ann Voskamp
“When we welcome others, we proclaim the Gospel with our lives. Every meal shared and every door opened becomes a testimony of God’s love.” – Christine Caine
Final Thought
Hospitality is a powerful way to demonstrate the love of Christ in practical and meaningful ways. By welcoming visitors with open arms, kindness, and generosity, we reflect the heart of God and create opportunities for His grace to shine. Our homes and churches become sanctuaries where people can experience acceptance, joy, and spiritual renewal.
Let us commit to being intentional in how we receive others, remembering that every act of hospitality is an act of worship to God. May our lives be marked by the warmth and love of Christ, making a lasting impact on those we welcome.
