Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

Lot Entertains Angels Unwittingly
But one man showed kindly attention toward the strangers and
invited them to his home. Lot did not know their true character, but
being polite and hospitable was a habit with him--a lesson he had
learned from Abraham. If he had not cultivated a spirit of courtesy,
he might have been left to perish with Sodom. Many a home has
closed its doors against a strange and so has shut out God's
messenger who would have brought blessing. God smiles on the
humble, sincere acts of daily self-denial, performed with a cheerful,
willing heart.
Knowing how strangers were abused in Sodom, Lot made it
one of his duties to guard them by offering them room at his own
house. He was sitting at the gate as the travelers approached, and
rose from his place to meet them. Bowing courteously, he said,
"Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant's house and
spend the night." They seemed to decline, saying, "No, but we will
spend the night in the open square." They had two reasons for
answering this way--to test Lot's sincerity and to appear ignorant of
the character of Sodom's inhabitants, as if they supposed it was safe
to stay in the street at night. Lot urged his invitation until they
yielded and went with him to his house.
Their hesitation and his persistent urging drew attention, and
before they went to bed for the night, a lawless crowd gathered
around the house, a huge company, young and old men alike
inflamed by the vilest passions. The strangers had been asking about
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