Have You Entertained Angels?

Daily Devotional – Friday, September 22, 2023
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
Hebrews 13:2 (NKJV)

I love the unique mission of a preacher and social media influencer who tests people’s willingness to help total strangers. This man dresses shabbily, hits the streets, presents himself as a poor and desperate person, and requests for help.

Entertaining Angelic Strangers

For example, he comes across a street food vendor, feigns hunger, and requests free food. Most traders refuse to help. Others are even rude to him. In many cases, though, an individual pities him and offers to help the man at no cost.

Soon after accepting the assistance, the preacher reveals his identity and mission. He rewards the liberal individual with money to purchase business stock, food, or to cater for other needs. Those who had refused to help regret their actions after witnessing their colleagues reap the rewards of a simple act of benevolence toward a stranger.

You Have Welcomed Angels

This influencer and his unique way of testing people’s benevolence remind us of Abraham. The patriarch once received three strangers at his home and begged them to accept his generosity. It turned out that these were God’s angels on the way to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.

In an apparent reference to this incident, Apostle Paul urges Christians, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” (Hebrews 13:2). Yes, God and His angels are in our midst in the form of helpless strangers who require our material and spiritual assistance.

Have You Entertained Angels?

Your angel may not come in the form of a social media influencer who promptly rewards you with money and other material items. That said, do not help because you expect a reward in return. Give without expecting anything in return.

Have you entertained angels? God places helpless strangers and needy people in our midst to test our willingness and ability to represent Him on earth. He desires to see how effective the gospel is in our lives. Are you missing out on your blessings by rejecting or mistreating strangers?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, impress on me always my obligation to entertain strangers and the needy.