Jesus says as you have done to the least, you have done to Him. So instead of seeing simply a beggar, we see in that homeless person, Christ our King! The following helpful resources assist in caring for the homeless in need in a way that gives dignity.
Index
Resources Available
When You See a Panhandler
When you see a panhandler on the street corner, what do you see? A neighbor? A scam artist? Or do you see, perhaps, a fellow beggar? Do you remember that you, too, are helpless, destitute and completely dependent upon God’s mercy, a lowly steward of the gifts God has given in abundance? Do you recognize a fellow sinner and realize that you are no more worthy of God’s grace than they are?
If this is what you see, then you are ready to engage and serve a fellow human being created in the image of God, to understand and help to meet both physical and spiritual needs.
Homeless Prayer Cards
Download and print prayer cards to hand out to persons struggling with homelessness.
Create and Distribute Homeless Care Kits
Portland Rescue Mission* offers suggestions for creating and distributing homeless care kits. When visiting PortlandRescueMission.org/resources, scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Pack a Care Kit.”
*Disclaimer: External resources were chosen for their insight and to benefit your research. However, all views expressed are not necessarily those of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Please read items with discretion. Discuss any questions with an LCMS pastor.
My Night of Living Homeless
In “My Night of Living Homeless,” the Rev. Steve Schave, Director of LCMS Urban and Inner-City Mission, narrates his firsthand experience of living among a group of inner-city homeless people in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood in Cincinnati.