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 seven years thou shalt make a free year.
"For I delivered the poor when he cried, and the fatherless that wanted help.
He hath dispersed abroad, and given to the poor, his righteousness remaineth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honor.
Who so despiseth his neighbour, doth amiss; but blessed is he that hath pity of the poor.
He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the LORD; and look, what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again.
She openeth her hand to the poor, yea she stretcheth forth her hands to such as have need
Wherefore, O king, be content with my counsel, that thou mayest lose thy sins with righteousness, and thine offenses with mercy to poor people: for such things shall prolong thy peace."
Take heed to your alms, that ye give it not in the sight of men, to the intent that ye would be seen of them: or else ye get no reward of your father which is in heaven.
Take heed to your alms, that ye give it not in the sight of men, to the intent that ye would be seen of them: or else ye get no reward of your father which is in heaven. Whensoever therefore thou givest thine alms, thou shalt not make a trumpet to be blown before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues, and in the streets, for to be praised of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. read more. But when thou doest thine alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be secret: and thy father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
For I was a hungered, and ye gave me meat. I thirsted, and ye gave me drink. I was harborless, and ye lodged me. I was naked and ye clothed me.
"And whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink for my name's sake because ye are belonging to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
Which same, when he saw Peter and John, that they would into the temple, desired to receive an alms;
And the multitude of them that believed, were of one heart; And of one soul. Also, none of them said that any of the things which he possessed was his own: But had all things common.
Neither was there any among them that lacked. For as many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them and brought the price of the things that were sold,
In those days, as the number of the disciples grew, there arose a grudge among the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were despised in the daily ministration.
I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to receive the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how that he said, 'It is more blessed to give, than to receive.'"
Of the gathering for the saints, as I have ordained in the congregations of Galatia, even so do ye.
Of the ministering to the saints, it is but superfluous for me to write unto you: