It doesn’t happen every time I’m out stumping for our faith-based nonprofit that operates an emergency shelter, food pantry and supportive housing apartments.

But occasionally, when I wrap up my presentation and take questions, there will come one about the worthiness of some of our guests to receive our services.

And oftentimes, the questions come veiled as innocent inquiries.

Such as …Do the people residing in our shelter work for their keep? What are the requirements to being in our shelter? Do any of the guests pay for their bed and meals with an outside job?

I’ve heard it politely framed in a myriad of different ways, but the intent of the question remains.

Because unfortunately, even in the more-than-polite Upper Midwest, many people hold tight to the notion that anyone who isn’t paying their fair share, or “carrying their weight,” somehow isn’t worthy of the basic human services that we as an organization provide.

At that point, as lovingly as I can, I try to redirect the conversation back to just how complex the issues of homelessness are, and that the scenarios are different for every person and family who finds their way to our doorstep.

Frankly, while our guests are with us, we’d much rather that they concentrate on the “healing” and “housing” pillars of our mission statement, which is to provide safe shelter, stable housing, nutritious food and a path toward healing. And we’ll be the ones to ensure that our lights stay on and the place is clean while we provide the “shelter” and “nutritious food.”

I am grateful to be a CEO of a faith-based shelter because I can easily fall back on the gospel when I get trapped by these uncomfortable questions. After all, Jesus’ very commandments to us in Matthew 25:35-40 are to feed, shelter, heal and clothe our neighbors.

He doesn’t suggest that repayment is necessary.

Admittedly, the gospel can be counter cultural in America, where we measure the worth of a person by what they produce. And even some who would consider themselves Christians seem to think that the gospel comes with limitations.

But, unfortunately, friends, that’s a human distortion, and we’re to blame for contorting such a simple message.

We are undergoing a frightening conversation as a nation regarding just what should be considered basic human rights. And I’m pretty certain that Jesus is mighty clear on where those start.

If you do consider yourself a faithful person, please have a conversation with your own faith community about what it is doing to support all whom Jesus calls “the least of these.”

Because quite frankly, there are many millions of neighbors who critically need your support and advocacy right now as an overwrought economic system which devalues human dignity is steamrolling over them. Amen.

Devlyn Brooks is the CEO of Churches United in Moorhead, Minn., and an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America serving Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn. He blogs about faith at findingfaithin.com, and can be reached at devlynbrooks@gmail.com.