Romans 12:11-13 : “... in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing steadfastly in prayer; communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality. "Slothful implies excessive and sluggish indolence." The Christian must be industrious in the Lord's service; otherwise he can have no hope. Hope sustains people in all their undertakings; and to the Christian hope of future bliss brings joy and happiness even in his tribulations and difficulties. Patience is steadfastness--endurance. Hope helps the Christian to be patient, or steadfast, in tribulation; for without hope we would not endure trials and persecutions. Patience holds on; it does not quit. Realizing our continuous dependence on the Lord leads to steadfastness in prayer. Indifference and a feeling of self-sufficiency causes a neglect of prayer. To communicate to the necessities of the saints is to help them in their needs. Hospitality is the receiving and entertaining of guests generously and kindly, or to be generous toward any who needs, and that includes strangers. If all these traits of character are manifested by all the members of a church, that church is a power for good.