Angels in Disguise

“Let brotherly love continue.  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”  Hebrews 13:1-2

We just never know who we might cross paths with any given day.  What may seem like an insignificant encounter could change the direction of our lives forever.  We never know who God may place before us as we busily make our way through the day.

The human tendency is to ignore those who may need a helping hand.  Of course, we have to be cautious because there are plenty of scam artists out to trick us out of our money.  I know.  I have been scammed more than once.  But I am not the one who will be required to give account when I help someone.  That will fall on the one who made up some story in order to play on my sympathy and get me to give them money.  I have heard that one of the tell-tale signs that a person is a scam artist is that they have more than one sad story to tell.  A young woman came to my door one evening and said that her husband was in another town in the emergency room because he cut his finger off, and she had to go there.  She said one of my neighbors, the one with all the cats (because she saw that I had a cat) was going to drive her but he needed $30 for gas.  So I gave her $30.  Of course, she said she would pay it back.  I found out later she was going to other houses in my neighborhood and in other neighborhoods telling a different story each time.  She did come back, but only to tell me that she couldn’t pay me back yet because of some extenuating circumstances.  One of my neighbors called the police, but they said that there was nothing they could do unless the victim felt threatened.  Because my house is near a big church and not far from the bus station, folks somehow think that I must be the benevolent office of that church!

Therefore, we must be discerning about those who ask for our help, but sometimes it is best to err on the side of giving help even if we are not sure of the true need.  Sometimes we just don’t know.  God blesses those who give out of a heart of love.  Whatever we give in good faith comes back to bless us over and above what we gave.  God is generous to those who are generous.  And besides, it could be one of God’s special angels who needs our helping hand.  I had rather give up a few bucks to someone even if I am not sure of their need than to refuse to help someone who really is in need.  We just have to let the Holy Spirit be our guide.