Jumpstarter 2 of 10

Ideas to help restart your discussion

Question 2

John Wesley’s description of colonial prosperity highlights wealth, “unbounded plenty,” and luxury that was “applauded as generosity and hospitality”; how should Christians discern the difference between true hospitality and celebrated indulgence, and what would early Christians have found spiritually dangerous about that kind of prosperity?

Another way to ask: How can Christians tell the difference between real hospitality and showing off with luxury? Why might early Christians see that kind of wealth and comfort as spiritually risky?

Direct Answer Based on Wesley’s quotations, Christians should be cautious when “hospitality” is defined by excess and luxury rather than love and simplicity; celebrated indulgence can disguise itself as virtue. The transcript implies early Christians would see spiritual danger in prosperity that normalizes luxury and feeds pride, because it was “applauded” rather than questioned.

Support from Transcript:

Wesley describes “immense flow of wealth” where “merchants and tradesmen…accumulated money without end.”
He says “Riches poured in upon them as a flood,” producing “unbounded plenty…necessaries, conveniences, yes, and luxuries.”
Wesley calls luxury “a natural consequence of wealth,” especially “in food.”
He notes extravagant meals: “ten, twelve, yes, sometimes twenty dishes of meat at a meal.”
He observes this was “so far from being criticized by anyone” that it “was applauded as generosity and hospitality.”

Discussion Follow-ups What signs help you tell whether your “hospitality” is sacrificial love or simply socially approved abundance? How might applause from others dull Christian discernment?

Jumpstarter 2 of 10

Add your phone number?

Thank you!

Jumpstarter 2 of 10