Though vigilance is often advisable when interacting with strangers, Scripture states that there are times when we should offer them help (Job 31:31-32; Romans 12:13). As someone who recently benefitted from the generosity of a couple I’d never met before, I can attest that such kindness met a deep need in my life. It also ramped up my faith and heightened my appreciation of being part of the body of Christ.
It all started when my son attended a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) sports camp in western Maryland. When Scott Myers, the area FCA director, learned that my son and I were visiting from Uganda, he asked if there was anything he and his wife Stacey could do to serve us. Because I needed to trim expenses in order to continue my ministry in Africa, I asked if they could possibly help me remove the items I’d been paying to store since I moved there 3 years ago.
In response, Scott and his family provided trucks and the manpower to retrieve my possessions from a facility 2 hours away. Then he arranged for me to host a massive sale using his in-laws’ yard and wraparound porch.
Scott and Stacey helped me eliminate wasteful spending and earn much-needed money. More important, their selfless actions reflected the essence of 3 John 1:5, “You are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you.”
Stacey and Scott Myers have become my friends. I’m excited to show hospitality to them soon when they bring a short-term missions team to Uganda to work with my organization Tukutana.
Let’s all pray for and look for opportunities to bless strangers that God places in our path.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Jonah 3:1–4:11
More:
Read Matthew 25:34-39 to see how God views your care of those who are in need.
Next:
To what strangers have you shown Jesus’ loving care recently? How does caring for strangers reflect God’s compassion?
suez on June 4, 2011 at 5:53 am
God is amazing. I felt I needed to read this today before I left. When I read the verses in Hebrews it was like hearing God’s voice out loud. I am visiting my 20 year old nephew today. He is in prison. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will work in his heart to bring him to trust Christ. Maybe there are others I will come across in my jornery today. A great reminder to keep my eyes and Spirit open. Thank you.
lindagma on June 4, 2011 at 6:59 am
Our Christian Business Association is working on formulating a fund raiser for a young mother whose child suffers from seizures. She and her neighborhood had a fundraiser, and then someone grabbed her purse in a fast-food…and took all the money as well as her CC, etc.
Years ago, my parents took a bus trip to Calif. to visit my brother. They arrived a day early…at night and were dropped off along side the road…no station, no businesses around. Three teenage boys came along, took them to a public phone, gave my brother directions where to pick them up and waited with them until my brother arrived…is that angels unaware or what!
regina franklin on June 4, 2011 at 5:04 pm
Roxanne–what a powerful testimony. May God continue to supply all of your needs (spoken and unspoken).