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
"You must cancel your debts at the end of every seventh year.
because I delivered the poor who were crying for help, along with orphans who had no one to help them.
He gives generously to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.
Whoever despises his neighbor sins, but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.
Whoever is kind to the poor is lending to the LORD the benefit of his gift will return to him in abundance.
She reaches out to the poor, opening her hands to those in need.
Therefore, your majesty, may my advice be acceptable to you: Stop your sinning, do what's right, and put a stop to your wickedness by showing kindness to the oppressed. Perhaps your tranquility will continue."
"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people in order to be noticed by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people in order to be noticed by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give to the poor, don't blow a trumpet before you like the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so that they will be praised by people. I tell all of you with certainty, they have their full reward! read more. But when you give to the poor, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be done in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
because I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.
I tell all of you with certainty, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to the Messiah will never lose his reward."
When he saw that Peter and John were about to go into the Temple, he asked them to give him something.
Now all the believers were one in heart and soul, and nobody called any of his possessions his own. Instead, they shared everything they owned.
since none of them needed anything, because everyone who had land or houses would sell them and bring the money received for the things sold
In those days, as the number of the disciples was growing larger and larger, a complaint was made by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food.
In every way I showed you that by working hard like this we should help the weak and remember the words that the Lord Jesus himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
Now concerning the collection for the saints, you should follow the directions I gave to the churches in Galatia.
I do not need to write to you any further about the ministry to the saints.