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
But take heed that you do not your righteousness before the people, in order to be seen by them: else you have no reward with your Father who is in the heavens:
But take heed that you do not your righteousness before the people, in order to be seen by them: else you have no reward with your Father who is in the heavens: therefore when you may do alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, in order that they may be glorified by the people: truly I say unto you, They exhaust their reward. read more. But thou doing alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: in order that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who sees in secret will reward thee openly.
For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in;
For whosoever may give you a cup of water in my name, because you are Christ's, truly I say unto you, can not lose his reward.
who seeing Peter and John about to come into the temple, asked to receive alms.
And of the multitude who believed there was one heart and soul, and no one was saying that any of those things which belonged to him were his own, but all things were common to them.
For no one among them was in need; for so many possessions of lands or houses as belonged to them, selling, they were bringing the prices of the things having been sold,
And during those days, the disciples multiplying, there was a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, that their widows were being neglected in the daily ministration.
I have shown you all things, that it so behooveth you laboring to assist the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
But concerning the contribution to the saints, as I commanded the churches of Galatia, so you also do.
For indeed concerning the ministry which is to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you.