Jesus said to a host: “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors, for they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward.

Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Here we have two types of social activities: with common friends, perhaps where we feel most comfortable, and with people different from us, requiring an effort to empathize.

If we are honest, we love being in the first group because it brings us fun and relaxation. This is also necessary for our lives.

The other group, which the Lord instructs us not to neglect, requires our internal preparation. It is no longer just a social activity but a ministry.

There will be times when we hang out with friends, and there will be times when we devote our time to bringing joy to those who suffer.

In the first group, we receive happiness, and in the second group, we give it. Striking the right balance will make our visits and gatherings highly productive for the kingdom of God.