Around three years back, my younger brothers and I were returning from an outing. Upon getting down from the rickshaw, we were accosted by a young man who told us that he was hungry and pleaded for money. I didn't give him money because some of those who beg are substance abusers who use any money to buy whatever they are addicted to. Instead, we took him to a store and got him something to eat.

During my study of the Scripture, I noticed examples of hospitality. In Genesis 18, Abraham welcomed three strangers into his home to feed them. In Genesis 19, Lot saw two strangers at the gates of Sodom, and he rushed to greet them and invited them to his home to feed them. This was a custom of the Middle East that Lot had probably learnt from Abraham his uncle, and Abraham had probably learnt it from his father — a legacy of hospitality. In both these cases, the strangers were angels.

Abraham and Lot were men who were hospitable, kind, and welcoming. They were both blessed for their welcoming attitudes. Abraham received a confirmation of God's promises, while Lot was saved with his family (with the exception of his wife).

Unfortunately, we are presently living in times when people seem to have forgotten and thrown away this legacy of hospitality passed on from the patriarchs of the faith. We pass needy strangers every day, not caring to lend a helping hand. We seem to live in our own little bubble of problems while forgetting that Abraham was battling with barrenness and Lot was dealing with raising children in a corrupt land. Still, they decided to be hospitable.

We might give excuses that people are not to be trusted, that they are not dependable or grateful, that they might take advantage of us, or that they might disappoint us after we helped them. But let us remember Lot, who helped strangers in a city as corrupt and defiled as Sodom.

When Jesus was talking about the day of judgment, He said that people will ask Him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?" He will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." (Matthew 25:44-45 NIV)

Hebrews 13:2 – Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (NIV 2011)

We don't need to search for strangers to help; they are everywhere, and God blesses those who will help. Have you overlooked hospitality? Have you forgotten that the basis of Christianity is to help others? Then this a clarion call of change.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, put in us the spirit of love and hospitality. Amen.