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
At the end of every seven years there is to be a general forgiveness of debt.
For I was a saviour to the poor when he was crying for help, to the child with no father, and to him who had no supporter.
He has given with open hands to the poor; his righteousness is for ever; his horn will be lifted up with honour.
He who has no respect for his neighbour is a sinner, but he who has pity for the poor is happy.
He who has pity on the poor gives to the Lord, and the Lord will give him his reward.
Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.
For this cause, O King, let my suggestion be pleasing to you, and let your sins be covered by righteousness and your evil-doing by mercy to the poor, so that the time of your well-being may be longer.
Take care not to do your good works before men, to be seen by them; or you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
Take care not to do your good works before men, to be seen by them; or you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. When then you give money to the poor, do not make a noise about it, as the false-hearted men do in the Synagogues and in the streets, so that they may have glory from men. Truly, I say to you, They have their reward. read more. But when you give money, let not your left hand see what your right hand does: So that your giving may be in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will give you your reward.
For I was in need of food, and you gave it to me: I was in need of drink, and you gave it to me: I was wandering, and you took me in;
Whoever gives you a cup of water, because you are Christ's, truly I say to you, he will in no way be without his reward.
He then, seeing Peter and John going into the Temple, made a request to them.
And all those who were of the faith were one in heart and soul: and not one of them said that any of the things which he had was his property only; but they had all things in common.
And no one among them was in need; for everyone who had land or houses, exchanging them for money, took the price of them,
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was increasing, protests were made by the Greek Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were not taken care of in the distribution of food every day.
In all things I was an example to you of how, in your lives, you are to give help to the feeble, and keep in memory the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, There is a greater blessing in giving than in getting.
Now about the giving of money for the saints, as I gave orders to the churches of Galatia, so do you.
But there is no need for me to say anything in my letter about the giving to the saints: