Entertaining Angels Unawares (Part 1)

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. —Hebrews 13:2

While I was a student at Midwestern Baptist College in the early 1970’s I remember the college president, Dr. Tom Malone, tell us the importance of entertaining strangers.

One day Dr. Malone received a phone call from a stranger named Arthur McVane. Arthur told Dr. Malone he heard him preach on the radio and asked if he could come to his home to visit his sister who was very sick.  Although pressed for time before he had to leave for a speaking engagement, Dr. Malone agreed.

When he arrived at Arthur’s house, it was the dirtiest place Dr. Malone had ever seen. The floor was covered with empty tin cans that was never rinsed out and littered with boxes, newspapers, magazines, and dirty clothes that must have been there for years. The stench was unbearable.

Arthur took Dr. Malone to his dying sister’s bedside where he lead her to Christ.  She died a few days later, and Arthur McVane called Dr. Malone and told him, “I want what my sister got!” Brother Malone lead him to Christ shortly thereafter.

Arthur McVane was truly a recluse. He seldom went anywhere because people could smell him coming. He could have been mistaken for a homeless man. He slept in his clothes on the sofa. He never washed or changed his clothes. He just wore them until they were worn out, then threw them in a huge pile in the the corner of the room.  But the truth was, Arthur McVane was actually quite wealthy, though no one knew it. He loved the ministry of Dr. Malone and soon purchased Dr. and Mrs. Malone a nice home in Pontiac, Michigan.

But this was just the beginning…

CONTINUED IN TOMORROW’S DEVOTION…