Heb. 13:2

2 Be [epilanthanomai] not [me] forgetful [epilanthanomai] to entertain strangers [philoxenia]: for [gar] thereby [dia] [taute] some [tis] have entertained [xenizo] angels [aggelos] unawares [lanthano]. KJV-Interlinear

2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. NASB

A stranger is anyone whom we do not know or are not acquainted with personally. Obviously none of us have ever met an angel. That is unless you have taken a little too much of your medication.

Throughout the Old Testament, angels were entertained on occasion. Daniel had encounters with angels. Abraham had encounters with angels. Various other prophets and persons had encounters with angels. It could be too that any one of us may have had an encounter without ever knowing it. However the canon of scripture was closed with the completion of Revelation, and all of our communications from God in our dispensation are through the scriptures, not through angels, visions or dreams. So, your experience while possible, is not likely.

But, surprise, surprise, angels encounters not the subject here. Whether or not you have had an encounter with someone of rank or prestige is not the issue. Your charity and goodwill toward all people in general is the issue, not your convenient discrimination to come to the aid of better people as opposed to lesser people.

Our prejudices of whatever kind they might be, have no place in the Christian life. Helping a person should arise out of their need, and not out of their possible repayment to us. Our helping of people should arise out of their need and not out of their utilization of our help. We cannot attach strings to our charity, requiring certain behavior which we deem proper.

A homeless person might ask for a dollar. The need is obvious and you certainly would want them to use the dollar to buy food or something you consider practical. However that dollar probably will go to booze or something less proper. But again, the use of your charity is irrelevant and really none of your business, even though we might be deceived by the person to whom we are providing help.

You give because of need, not for any other reason.

Likewise there might be two people standing side by side. One is pleasant looking and the other is filthy. To whom do your give your dollar?

Gal. 6:10

10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men NASB

As for organizations, then it is certainly proper and prudent to determine that they are in fact bona fide charities and not just fronts for things that are less than honorable. Charities that run up their own costs and give very little to the folks in need should be avoided. Certainly organizations that deceive their purposes and are not in fact charities, should be avoided as well. Giving blindly can be considered irresponsible especially when your intention is really to bring attention to your self and your gift, rather than to the reason for your gift.

Furthermore, we are not to help people because of some false motivation such as the possibility that they might be someone who can help us in return (angels, friends, someone of status), or because your help can be seen by others and thus bring praise to your own ego.

We help others because it is simply the right thing to do, and by helping others we are fulfilling Gods will, applying to a good use that which God has given us in the first place, and we are fulfilling our responsibility to others before God.

Matt. 25:40

40 And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' NASB

Christ created all life. By helping life we are acting favorably for Christ. By not helping, we are then saying that we reject Christ who placed everyone in their respective positions in the first place. Jesus Christ controls history.

You are where you are because Christ put you there. Don t pat yourself on the back for your achievements and certainly don t pout because you have some kind of difficulty.

And one more thing as a side note. This attitude applies to people in their relations to people. This does not apply to nations. A national entity is responsible for civil justice, not impersonal love. Only people are commanded to love thy neighbor. The responsibilities of nations with respect to their relationships with other nations, are not in view in this passage.

Now is the time to post a prayer.