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
From the end of seven years thou shalt make a remission:
For I shall deliver the poor crying, and the orphan, and none helping to him.
He scattered, he gave to the needy; his justice stands forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory.
He despising to his neighbor, sins: and he compassionating the poor, he is happy.
He pitying the poor lends to Jehovah, and he will recompense to him his act.
She spread forth her hands to the poor, and sent forth her hands to the needy.
Wherefore, O king, my counsel shall be pleasant to thee, and break off thy sins by justice, and thine iniquities in compassionating the poor; if it shall be a lengthening to thy peace.
Attend ye not to do your justice before men, to be seen to them; and if otherwise ye have no reward from your Father which in the heavens.
Attend ye not to do your justice before men, to be seen to them; and if otherwise ye have no reward from your Father which in the heavens. When therefore thou doest alms, thou shouldst not sound the trumpet before thee, as hypocrites do in the assemblies, and in the streets, that they might be praised by men. Verily I say to you, They have their reward. read more. But thou doing alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right does: That thine alms might be in secret; and thy Father, who seeing in secret, shall give back to thee openly.
For I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me to drink: I was a stranger, and ye brought me in:
For whoever should give you to drink a cup of water in my name, because ye are of Christ, verily I say to you, he should not lose his reward.
Who having seen Peter and John about going into the temple asked to receive alms.
And the heart and soul of the multitude of them believing were one: and not one said any of the things being to him to be his own; but all were common to them.
For neither was any in want among them: for as many as were possessors of farms or houses, selling, brought the prices of things sold,
And in those days, the disciples multiplying, there was a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were overlooked in the daily service.
I shewed you all things, that so being wearied ye must support the weak, and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that himself said, It is happy to give rather than receive.
And concerning the collection for the holy ones, as I appointed to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye.
For truly, concerning the service to the holy ones, it is superfluous for me to write to you: