Alright, picture this: we’re in Genesis 24, and here comes Rebekah, casually going about her day when she meets Abraham’s servant and, by extension, a herd of thirsty camels. Now, if she was just doing the bare minimum, she could’ve tossed the guy a water bottle and been on her way. But no—Rebekah’s got that over-the-top, hospitality-on-a-mission mindset. She’s not just saying, “Hey, here’s some water”; she’s rolling out the desert red carpet. This gal doesn’t blink before hauling enough water to hydrate a caravan. That’s a workout and a half! But to her, it’s not a chore; it’s an honor, a calling, a sacred act of service.

The Heart of Rebekah’s Generosity

Now, the thing about Rebekah is she’s not just generous; she’s Olympic-level generous. When Abraham’s servant asks for a drink, she’s already pulling out the good stuff. Not only does she quench his thirst, but she also signs herself up to play water bearer for ten camels. And these aren’t just any camels; these are camels that can drink 25 gallons each. To put it bluntly, Rebekah is hauling enough water to fill a small kiddie pool. Most of us would be thinking, “Is there an easier way to get out of this?” Not Rebekah. She dives in, rolls up her sleeves, and gets to work with zero complaints. You almost have to wonder if she’s thinking, “This could be my cardio for the week.”

Seeing Others’ Needs and Meeting Them

Here’s where things get really interesting: Rebekah wasn’t just meeting the minimum ask when she watered those camels in Genesis 24. She saw the need and went above and beyond, anticipating what the camels—and their owner—might need before anyone had to ask. This wasn’t just hospitality; it was proactive kindness, the kind that makes people (and apparently camels) feel genuinely cared for. Rebekah didn’t hesitate. She stepped in with an “I got you” attitude that set her apart.

That kind of hospitality? I’ve seen it firsthand. When my family and I moved to Georgia, one of the first people we met was our realtor, who’s now one of our dearest friends. She didn’t just help us find a house; she took care of us like family. Case in point: we’d hired someone to clean our new house before we moved in. I was still working, my family was still in Vermont, and I trusted the cleaners would do their thing. But when our realtor went to check on the work, she didn’t think it was up to par.

Now, most people would’ve called to complain or let it slide. Not her. She went home, grabbed her own cleaning supplies, came back, and scrubbed the place herself—on her hands and knees. Can you imagine? She didn’t just check a box; she made sure the house was spotless, ready for us to start our new life.

And if that didn’t already put her in a league of her own, what happened next sealed the deal. When we closed on the house, she didn’t just hand over the keys with a polite handshake. She gave us a sweet gift basket filled with local goodies—nice, right? But she also included something we didn’t even realize we’d need: a binder. Not just any binder—a “who’s who” guide to everything in the area. Doctors, lawyers, landscapers, plumbers—everything a family new to Georgia would need to navigate life in a new state.

Coming from Vermont, we didn’t know a soul here, let alone who to call for an emergency or even a haircut. But thanks to her thoughtfulness and hospitality, we felt like we had a head start. Her kindness was so above and beyond that we’ve been singing her praises ever since. She didn’t just do her job; she made us feel welcomed, cared for, and truly at home.

Rebekah’s story and our realtor’s actions share the same truth: hospitality isn’t just about doing what’s required. It’s about seeing a need and stepping in before anyone has to ask. It’s about going above and beyond because you care, not because you’re obligated. True hospitality reflects God’s heart—a proactive, abundant kindness that meets needs and makes people feel valued. And when you encounter that kind of love and care, it leaves a mark you’ll never forget. Humility and Respect in Hospitality

Now let’s talk about her humility, which is a big part of what makes her hospitality so special. Rebekah’s the whole package: she’s kind, respectful, and humble as all get-out. Here’s this beautiful young woman, with family connections and social standing, treating a stranger with a level of respect that we could all take a cue from. She calls Abraham’s servant “my lord”—and that’s not out of flattery, that’s genuine respect. She’s not putting on airs or making this about her; she’s here to serve, plain and simple. And that’s the heartbeat of biblical hospitality: no strings attached, no hidden agenda. Just pure, unfiltered kindness.

A Willingness to Act with Urgency

And Rebekah? She doesn’t do anything half-heartedly. She’s running back and forth to that well, acting with urgency and enthusiasm. This isn’t dragging her feet or sighing every step of the way—she’s all in. Words like “quickly” and “ran” tell us she’s got a fire in her that’s rare. No time for deliberation; she’s full steam ahead. She’s eager to meet the needs in front of her, not tomorrow, not in five minutes, but right now. That kind of zeal is contagious and makes you think, “How can I be more like that?”

The Blessings of True Hospitality

Now, if we thought this was all just hard work for hard work’s sake, we’re missing the point. In a plot twist even Hollywood would envy, Rebekah’s act of generosity turns out to be the answer to Abraham’s servant’s prayer. She’s exactly the person he was looking for to become Isaac’s wife, a role that brings her into the family line of Israel itself. By saying yes to serving this stranger and his thirsty camels, she walks straight into a blessing that changes her life forever.

Hospitality as a Sacred Act of Faith

Here’s where it gets serious. Rebekah’s story isn’t just a nice tale of kindness; it’s a challenge. It’s an invitation to see hospitality as an act of faith that ties us into something much bigger. When we offer true hospitality—whether that’s pouring water, sharing a meal, or just listening—we’re not just being “nice.” We’re reflecting a piece of God’s heart. Jesus later tells us in Matthew 25:35-40 that when we do these things, we’re doing them for Him. It’s like God’s given us a blueprint for what it means to love each other, and it’s right there in Rebekah’s actions.

What If We Acted Like Rebekah?

Picture this: a church full of people with the heart of Rebekah. Not just folks checking boxes or doing the bare minimum, but a congregation that runs—yes, runs—to meet the needs of others. People who see a need and jump in with both feet, even if it’s inconvenient, exhausting, or way out of their comfort zone. What if instead of asking, “How little can I get away with doing?” we asked, “How much can I give?”

Rebekah didn’t know Abraham’s servant from Adam when she offered him water. She had no clue she was stepping into God’s master plan to shape history. She didn’t wait to be guilt-tripped or nudged into action. She saw a thirsty stranger, noticed his herd of camels (and camels drink a lot), and without hesitation, she rolled up her sleeves and got to work

Imagine if the church looked like that. Imagine if we stopped hunting for excuses to do less and started looking for opportunities to do more. What if we treated every encounter with someone in need as though it were a divine appointment? What if we saw every person—not just the easy ones, but the difficult, messy ones—as sent by God Himself?

A Church That Runs to Serve

A Rebekah-style church wouldn’t just sit around waiting for people to show up on Sunday mornings. It would be a church that sprints out to meet people where they are—broken, searching, and desperate for hope.

Think about it: what if every struggling family became a chance to haul some water? What if we saw that single mom juggling kids and groceries as an opportunity to step in and lighten the load? What if every person experiencing homelessness was met not with pity but with dignity, connection, and genuine care?

What if we stopped asking, “Will this inconvenience me?” and started asking, “How can I show them God’s love right now?” Can you imagine the impact that kind of mindset would have?

Radical Hospitality

Rebekah’s story reminds us that true hospitality isn’t about offering coffee and cookies (though, let’s be real, we love those too). It’s about going above and beyond—pouring out love in a way that reflects God’s own heart. It’s not just saying, “You’re welcome here.” It’s shouting, “You are treasured here!”

What if every person who walked into a church felt like they’d just stepped into a home where someone had been eagerly preparing for their arrival all week? What if every interaction—every handshake, every smile, every kind word—left people feeling truly seen and deeply valued?

Because let’s be honest, it’s not the coffee that changes lives. It’s the love behind it.

The Ripple Effect

Rebekah didn’t know she was stepping into a divine appointment when she watered those camels. She had no idea her willingness to hustle would land her in the family line of Christ Himself. But her urgency and generosity changed everything.

The same can be true for us. Every small act of service, every over-the-top kindness—it all plants seeds. Seeds of hope. Seeds of faith. Seeds that grow into something eternal.

Imagine a world where the church lived like that—walls of mistrust would crumble, and hearts hardened by skepticism would soften. People wouldn’t just hear about God’s love; they’d feel it in every act of compassion.

The Challenge

So here it is: stop asking what’s comfortable or convenient. Start asking what’s necessary. Look for the camels in your life—the overlooked, the undervalued, the burdens no one else wants to touch—and run toward them with a heart ready to serve.

What would it look like if the church took this seriously? It would look like lives changed, communities healed, and a world reminded that God’s love isn’t passive—it’s proactive, abundant, and ready to meet people exactly where they are.

We don’t have to be perfect. We just have to be willing. Because when we act like Rebekah, we’re not just serving others; we’re stepping into God’s story. And in His hands, even the smallest acts of kindness can ripple out to change the world.

Embracing Rebekah’s Hospitality Today

In our fast-paced world where we’re tempted to keep “hospitality” to a quick handshake and “good to see you,” Rebekah’s story calls us higher. Hospitality isn’t a casual coffee; it’s an open door to kindness, humility, and sacrifice. It’s offering something that matters, even when it’s inconvenient. Rebekah’s story reminds us that the simplest acts—going that extra mile, making others feel valued—are far from wasted. They echo out in ways we might never see, creating ripples that can touch lives and possibly change our own. So, here’s to following Rebekah’s lead: the next time someone shows up at your door, be ready to go all-in. After all, you never know when there might be a blessing (or ten thirsty camels) waiting.