Gleanings from Orthodox Christian Authors and the Holy Fathers

genesis39_21

Remember that the Lord is in every Christian. When your neighbor comes to you, always have great respect for him, because the Lord is in him, and often expresses His will through him. ' It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure' (Phil. 2:13).

Therefore, do not grudge anything to your brother, but do unto him as unto the Lord; especially as you do not know in whom the Lord will come and visit you; be impartial to all, be kind to all, sincere and hospitable. Remember that sometimes God speaks even through unbelievers, or disposes their hearts towards us, as it happened in Egypt when the Lord gave Joseph favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. (Gen. 39:21). St. John of Kronstadt (My Life in Christ: Part 1, Holy Trinity Monastery pgs. 74-75)