Reference: Alms, Almsgiving
Hastings
An alms' (Ac 3:3) is something freely given, in money or in kind, to the needy, from motives of love and pity for the recipient, and of gratitude to the Giver of all. Hence what is given or paid to the poor under the authority and compulsion of law, as the modern poor rate, is not alms. For such legal provision in OT times see Poor. Much might be of the humane spirit which pervades the whole of the Hebrew legislation, and in particular the legislation of Dt, of which, in this respect, De 15:1 may be taken as the epitome: 'Thou shalt surely open thine hand unto thy brother, to thy needy and to thy poor' (RV). The writings of the prophets, also, are full of generous advocacy of the rights of the poor. In the later pre-Christian centuries almsgiving became one of the most prominent of religious duties (Ps 112:9; Pr 14:21; 19:17; 31:20; Job 29:12 f.). The sentiment of the 2nd cent. b.c.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Beware of doing your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
Beware of doing your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. When, therefore, you do a charitable deed, do not cause a trumpet to be sounded before you, as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be glorified by men. Verily, I say to you, They have their reward. read more. But when you do a charitable deed, let not your left hand know what your right hand does; that your charitable deeds may be in secret; and. your Father, who sees in secret, himself will reward you openly.
For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave- me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me to your houses;
For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink on this account, because you are Christ s, verily I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.
This man, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked charity.
And the multitude of believers were of one heart and of one soul; and no one said that any part of his possessions was his own; but they had all things in common.
Nor, indeed, was there any needy person among them; for as many as were owners of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the prices of what had been sold,
In those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
In all things I have taught you by ex ample, that by thus laboring, you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus; for he himself said, It is more blessed to give, than to receive.
As it respects the collection which is for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so also do you.
For of the relief which is for the saints, it is needless for me to write to you.