Thanks for a great idea! Our church can establish a poor house like the old times. I think St. John Vianney’s parish once had a poor house which will be staffed by volunteer parishioners. I am going to do some research one the subject.
>1. open my house to shelter him
No , this is inappropriate unless you know him from before or could perform your own police check, review his hospital/mental health records. Without that you cannot risk yourself or family.This advice applies in all these situations.
There are several or many Bible verses relating to helping your neighbor and the poor. Mathew 25 is my focus to feed the hungry, clothe the naked...etc. It doesnt say to give $$. Moreover, it doesnt say to give money to people with signs. Alot of $$ abuse in this area—too much abuse and scammer stories to detail. This is what churches and relief organizations are all about and their work is supposed to stem the appearance of people with signs.
Basically, I dont give money to people with signs. I help those I notice in supermarket areas who are ill clothed and either themselves or no one has been caring for them. I will buy fast food for those who are standing near a fast food joint and are hungry or begging for money there. I will ask them if they are hungry or the last meal they had, if it adds up, I buy them some food—I dont give money. If they need shoes, I might volunteer for that,etc. But I think about these things before I do them. If they need shoes,etc I’ll go to a Goodwill store etc. to get those items.
Outside of this, I do give to St. Vincent De Paul which in my area offers a range of services to those on the edge and the homeless. In addition I give to the Salvation Army which is excellent in this area(although nowadays they are somewhat tolerant of abortion in their theology), I dont think their $$ are spent in this area, all the same.
So basically I am helping on two fronts. I help those organizations that help them and I help those falling between the cracks. If someone has a thing about religion and cant’ sit in a Salvation Army gospel meeting or something else like pride stands in the way etc, then my money isnt’ good enough for them and they are refusing help but now are on street corners getting no strings attached money for drugs,booze, pay off their cable tv or cell phone while their living in a trailer or a van with a govt check,hidden from the public....not me, not my approval!.