Extend Hospitality to Strangers

So, today's one of those days when I'm going to get in your face with a tough question (you're welcome!).  Here it is: how do you treat strangers? If you see someone you don't know who's in need, are you the sort of person to step up and help, or do you cross to the other side of the road to avoid them? Showing kindness or hospitality to a friend is great. And I'm sure that when you do that, they feel blessed. They may not always say thank you. They may not always appear grateful, but it makes them feel valued. But what about when a virtual stranger goes out of their way to help someone? What if you cook a meal or open your home even, to someone you hardly know? Without doubt, such an unexpected act from a stranger multiplies the blessing ten times, a hundred times, in the recipient's heart, doesn't it?     Romans 12:13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. (NRSV) The original Greek word translated here as "hospitality" literally means "to love strangers." Back in a time without hotels, inns were rare, and those that did exist were often unsafe or immoral. So travelling Christians, missionaries, or displaced believers depended on the hospitality of fellow Christians. And the word "extend" is intense. It means to pursue eagerly, even to chase down. So through His Word, God isn't merely suggesting that we be hospitable. He's telling us to pursue it with zeal; to go out of our way to welcome others, including those we don't know personally. Extend hospitality to strangers. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.