“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers…” (Hebrews 13:2): A task (dare I say command) that remains largely forsaken amongst those who call themselves Christians. It’s like a throbbing scourge in the heart of God Himself! Scanning over the church, we can almost hear the sound of His raging displeasure, only to hear His voice masked by the justification of a selfish “Christian/American” culture spewing rhetoric concerning the poor and needy, saying: “They’re alright. The government will take care of them. Why do I have to lift a finger to help?”
We can all confess that culture and mindset have changed drastically in this nation over the past several decades. We only trust the people we know, and then only in small doses. Helping strangers can lead to identity theft, robbery, even physical harm…but is the task of Hebrews 13:2 dependent upon the culture and time in which we live? Can this virtue be dismissed simply because of the danger it may pose? To borrow an intense, New Testament phrase from the Apostle Paul, “God forbid!”
Admittedly, I am rather reserved (even down-right doubtful sometimes) when a person calls the church building who is needing an electric bill paid, or groceries delivered, or their hotel room paid for the night (especially when they have called multiple times before). This is a person (in need) asking for help…but does my doubt and suspicion negate the task at hand? (I know we’re to be responsible with the Lord’s resources, but that’s not the point I’m getting at). Have we become so terrified of strangers in need that we’ve lost our capability, as Christians, to show them hospitality? Are we using the times in which we live as an excuse to exempt us from our responsibility to “do good unto all men”? (Galatians 6:10)
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