The Generosity of Strangers
Generosity and Gratitude
Reflection By Scott Stoner
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that
some have entertained angels without knowing it.
- Hebrews 13:2
Some of the most surprising and moving experiences of generosity come from complete strangers. Perhaps someone stopped to help you change a flat tire, or a person tracked you down to return your lost wallet with nothing missing. Maybe you received an anonymous gift that came at exactly the right time, or someone offered you kindness when you were feeling lost or alone.
These encounters with generous strangers often stay with us for years because they remind us that goodness exists in the world in ways we don’t always expect. They restore our faith in our global community, reminding us that we are all connected in the human family.
The writer of Hebrews suggests that when we encounter strangers, we might actually be encountering angels—divine messengers who come to us in human form. This passage reminds us of the sacred potential in every encounter with someone we don’t know.
This truth also invites us to consider how we might be generous strangers to others. Every day we have opportunities to offer kindness to people we don’t know and may never see again. A smile, a helping hand, a patient response when someone is struggling—these small acts of generosity can have profound impacts on others’ lives. Being generous to strangers is atypical in a world that teaches us to be suspicious of people we don’t know, yet it reflects the radical hospitality that Jesus modeled.
Daily Gratitude Practice: List three experiences where you benefited from the generosity of strangers, or when you had the opportunity to be a generous stranger toward someone else.