Entertaining Angels

Indolent and unworthy the beggar may be—but that is not your concern: It is better to feed ten impostors than to run the risk of turning away one honest petition. Hugh Nibley

Go to most any car dealership in the country, talk to the seasoned salespeople, and you’ll find some very interesting stories. One story that seems to be a common one, is the story of the person who comes into the dealership in an old vehicle, dressed in worn or dirty clothes who wants to look at a very expensive vehicle. Usually the story concerns a salesperson who did not want to “waste time” talking to them, only to find out that the person was very wealthy and could buy anything they choose.

The sad part about this story is that in most cases, it is not an urban legend. Most of these stories are actually true. The reason they are true, is that we as humans tend to pre-judge people, based on how they look, dress, drive and sometimes how they speak.

Last week, Karine Gombeau was visiting New York City with her family. The Parisian family had eaten all they could of what she called an “enormous” pizza and were taking the leftover slices with them, when she spotted a homeless man digging through a garbage can.

The man was dressed in grimy clothes, had a beer in a brown bag and was eating a burger that he had found in the trash. She approached him and gave him the leftover pizza. She said, “I’m sorry, but the pizza is cold.” The man replied, “Thank you so much. God bless you.”

As she walked away, people began to gather around her. She was approached by a film crew that had been shooting from across the street. Then, they showed her a still shot of her with actor Richard Gere. She had no idea that she had walked onto a movie set where Gere was in character for a new movie titled, Time Out of Mind.

Jesus comes to us in many forms. He may not show up at your home wearing a white robe and long beard, but trust me, He shows up. God provides us with opportunities to minister to others each day. It may be in a kind word or a pat on the back. It may be in a good deed done or a wrong forgiven. Each opportunity that a Christian has to do good, is an opportunity to not only minister to others, but serve Christ in the process.

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the parable of the king separating the sheep from the goats. He tells the sheep on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

They were confused and asked when they did such. He told them “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Never miss an opportunity to be Jesus to those who need Him. You may be the only connection they will ever have to the Savior. Share His love with someone today!

Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. (Hebrews 13:1-2)