Thought of the Day !!

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)

In today's world of suicide bombers, rapists, killers, muggers, thieves, etc. there may be very little desire to entertain strangers. As if the real world stuff wasn't bad enough, we then turn on the TV or watch movies that are more violent than ever. And we believe we have to think of our safety and those with us when a stranger comes up to us looking for a handout.

It used to be ok to pick up someone on the side of the road who needed a ride. But how many are willing to pick up hitchhikers today? And then, of course, there's all those out there that are trying to take advantage of us. There are people who don't want to work for a living and would rather con people and work the system.

And still the Bible teaches us to entertain strangers. Jesus says that those who give the hungry something to eat and the thirsty something to drink, who welcome the stranger or visit the sick or imprisoned, will be the ones who will have a place with the King.

Sometimes we just have to step out on faith and ask God to protect us. At other times we have to use our common sense. Cell phones can be used to call for help for someone on the side of the road (instead of stopping) if we're not sure. If somebody comes to us each week needing money for gas to get their momma to the same doctor's appointment, we can say "No more". We can buy the gas for them (instead of giving cash) or help them find a job. The truth of the matter is that even if we're being conned, duped, taken (or however you want to put it) nine out of ten times, we may entertain an angel once. Or to put it another way, we may entertain Christ. For He said if we do for the least, we've done for Him.

I, for one, would rather be duped 9 out of 10 times and do the work of Christ once than let my Savior down.

In the love of Christ,
greg