Reference: Alms
Easton
Not found in the Old Testament, but repeatedly in the New. The Mosaic legislation (Le 25:35; De 15:7) tended to promote a spirit of charity, and to prevent the occurrence of destitution among the people. Such passages as these, Ps 41:1; 112:9; Pr 14:31; Isa 10:2; Am 2:7; Jer 5:28; Eze 22:29, would also naturally foster the same benevolent spirit.
In the time of our Lord begging was common (Mr 10:46; Ac 3:2). The Pharisees were very ostentatious in their almsgivings (Mt 6:2). The spirit by which the Christian ought to be actuated in this duty is set forth in 1Jo 3:17. A regard to the state of the poor and needy is enjoined as a Christian duty (Lu 3:11; 6:30; Mt 6:1; Ac 9:36; 10:2,4), a duty which was not neglected by the early Christians (Lu 14:13; Ac 20:35; Ga 2:10; Ro 15:25-27; 1Co 16:1-4). They cared not only for the poor among themselves, but contributed also to the necessities of those at a distance (Ac 11:29; 24:17; 2Co 9:12). Our Lord and his attendants showed an example also in this (Joh 13:29).
In modern times the "poor-laws" have introduced an element which modifies considerably the form in which we may discharge this Christian duty.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And, when thy brother waxeth poor, and his hand becometh feeble with thee, then shalt thou strengthen him, as a sojourner and a settler, so shall he live with thee.
When there cometh to be among you a needy person any one of thy brethren within any one of thy gates, in thy land, which Yahweh thy God is giving unto thee, thou shalt not harden thy heart nor shut thy hand from thy needy brother;
How happy is he that is attentive to the poor, In the day of calamity, will Yahweh deliver him:
He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the needy, His righteousness, standeth for aye, His horn, shall be exalted in honour.
The oppressor of the poor, hath reproached his Maker, but he that sheweth favour to the needy, is one who, holdeth Him in honour.
Turning aside from judgment, the poor, And robbing, of justice, the oppressed of my people, - So that, widows, become, their spoil, And of the fatherless, they make prey.
They have waxed fat, they shine Yea they have overpassed the records of wickedness. The right, have they not determined, the right of the fatherless that they might prosper, - Yea justice to the helpless, have they not decreed.
The people of the land have exacted oppression, and seized plunder,- Even the afflicted and the needy, have they maltreated, And the sojourner have they oppressed without justice.
Who strive to bring the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and, the way of the oppressed, they pervert, - Yea, a man and his own father, go in unto the maid, to profane my holy Name!
Buttake heed, that ye do not, your righteousness, before men, to be gazed at by them, - otherwise at least, reward, have ye none, with your Father who is in the heavens. When, therefore, thou mayest be doing an alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, just as, the hypocrites, do in the synagogues and in the streets - that they may be glorified by men, - Verily, I say unto you, they are getting back their reward.
And they come into Jericho. And, as he was journeying forth from Jericho, and his disciples, and a considerable multitude, the son of Timaeus, blind Bar-Timaeus, a beggar, was sitting beside the road.
And, answering, he said unto them - He that hath two tunics, let him share with him that hath none, and, he that hath food, in like manner, let him be doing.
To every one asking thee, give, and, from him that taketh away thy possessions, ask them not back.
But, whensoever, an entertainment, thou mayest be making, invite the destitute, the tried, the lame, the blind;
For, some, were thinking, since Judas held the bag, that Jesus was saying to him - Buy the things of which we have, need, for the feast; or that, unto the destitute, he should give something.
And, a certain man, who had been, lame from his mother's womb, was being carried, - whom they used to lay daily at the door of the temple - the door called Beautiful, that he might ask alms of them who were entering into the temple:
Now, in Joppa, there was a certain female disciple, by name Tabitha, which, being translated, means Dorcas a Gazelle . The same, was full of good works and alms which she was doing.
Devout, and fearing God with all his house, doing many alms unto the people, and supplicating God continually,
And he, looking steadfastly at him, and becoming full of fear, said - What is it, Lord? And he said unto him - Thy prayers and thine alms, have gone up for a memorial before God.
And, according as any one of the disciples was being prospered, they each one of them set apart something for ministering, to send unto the brethren, who dwelt in Jerusalem; -
In all things, I gave you to understand, that, thus toiling, it behoves to be helping the weak, also to be keeping in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, that, he himself, said - Happy is it, rather to give than to receive!
Now, after many years, intending to do, alms, unto my nation, I arrived, - also to present offerings; among which they found me, purified in the temple, not with a multitude, nor with tumult;
But, now, I am journeying unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the saints; For Macedonia and Achaia have been well-pleased to make a certain fellowship for the destitute of the saints who are in Jerusalem, - read more. They have been well-pleased, indeed, - and, their debtors, they are; for, if, with their spiritual things the nations have come into fellowship, they are bound also with their own carnal things to minister publicly unto them.
Only that we should remember, the destitute, - as to which I had given diligence, this very thing, to do.
But, whoso hath this world's goods, and beholdeth his brother having, need, and shutteth up his tender affections from him, how, is, the love of God, abiding in him?
Fausets
From Greek eleemosyne. The Hebrew "righteousness" in Old Testament and the Greek in many manuscripts of Mt 6:1, stands for ALMS. So Da 4:27, "Break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor." The poor were entitled to leavings from the produce of the field, the vineyard, and the olive yard (Le 19:9-10; 23:22; De 15:11; 24:19; 26:2-13), the third year's tithing for the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, the widow.
Compare Job 31:17; 29:16; "I was a father to the poor." Ne 8:10; Pr 10:2; 11:4; Es 9:22; Ps 41:1; 112:9. Dorcas (Ac 9:36). Cornelius (Ac 10:2). God prefers such neighborly love to fasting (Isa 58:7). Thirteen receptacles for free offerings were in the women's court of the temple (Mr 12:41-44). Begging was a practice only known after the captivity. In every city there were three collectors who distributed alms of two kinds:
1. Of money collected in the synagogue chest every sabbath for the poor of the city, "the alms of the chest."
2. Of food and money received in a dish, "alms of the dish." The Pharisees gave much alms, but with ostentation, figuratively blowing the trumpet before them (the figure being from the trumpet blowing in religious feasts): Mt 6:1-2. The duty was recognized among Christians as a leading one (Lu 14:13; Ro 15:25-27; Ga 2:10). A laying by for alms in proportion to one's means on every Lord's day is recommended (1Co 16:1-4; Ac 11:29-30; 20:35). Jesus and the twelve, out of their common purse, set the pattern (Joh 13:29). Not the costliness, but the love and self denial, and the proportion the gift bears to one's means, are what God prizes (Mr 12:42-44). Such "come up as a memorial before God" (Ac 9:36; 10:2,4). The giving was not imposed as a matter of constraint, but of bounty, on Christians (Ac 5:4).
The individual was not merged in the community, as in socialism; each freely gave, and distribution was made, not to the lazy who would not work, but to the needy (Ac 2:45; 2Th 3:10). A mendicant order is the very opposite of the Christian system. The Jewish tithe was not imposed, but the principle of proportionate giving having been laid down, the definite proportion is left to each one's faith and love to fix (2Co 9:5-7). Love will hardly give less than legalism. An ecclesiastical order of widowhood attended to charitable ministrations in the early church (1Ti 5:10). The deacons were appointed primarily for the distribution of alms (Acts 6). Alms are "righteousness," not that they justify a man (which Romans 3; 4; 5 prove they do not), but they are the doing that which is right and which our neighbor has a rightful claim upon us for, in the court of God's equity, though not of human law. God gives us means for this very end (Eph 4:28).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly clear the border of thy field, in reaping, - nor shalt thou gather up the gleaning of thy harvest.
And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly clear the border of thy field, in reaping, - nor shalt thou gather up the gleaning of thy harvest. And, thy vineyard, shalt thou not go over again, nor gather, every single grape: for the poor and for the sojourner, shalt thou leave them, I - Yahweh, am your God.
And, thy vineyard, shalt thou not go over again, nor gather, every single grape: for the poor and for the sojourner, shalt thou leave them, I - Yahweh, am your God.
And, when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly clear the border of thy field when thou reapest, and, the gleanings of thy field, shalt thou not glean, - for the poor and for the sojourner, shalt thou leave them. I - Yahweh, am your God.
And, when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly clear the border of thy field when thou reapest, and, the gleanings of thy field, shalt thou not glean, - for the poor and for the sojourner, shalt thou leave them. I - Yahweh, am your God.
For the needy will not cease out of the midst of the land - for this cause, am I commanding thee, saying, Thou shalt open, thy hand unto thy brother to thy poor and to thy needy, in thy land.
For the needy will not cease out of the midst of the land - for this cause, am I commanding thee, saying, Thou shalt open, thy hand unto thy brother to thy poor and to thy needy, in thy land.
When thou cuttest down thy harvest in thy field and forgettest a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not turn back to fetch it, to the sojourner, to the fatherless, and to the widow, shall it belong, - that Yahweh thy God, may bless thee, in all the Work of thy hands.
When thou cuttest down thy harvest in thy field and forgettest a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not turn back to fetch it, to the sojourner, to the fatherless, and to the widow, shall it belong, - that Yahweh thy God, may bless thee, in all the Work of thy hands.
then shalt thou take - of the first of all the fruit of the soil which thou shalt bring in from thy land which Yahweh thy God is giving unto thee and shalt put it in a basket, - and go thy way unto the place which Yahweh thy God shall choose, to make a habitation for his name there.
then shalt thou take - of the first of all the fruit of the soil which thou shalt bring in from thy land which Yahweh thy God is giving unto thee and shalt put it in a basket, - and go thy way unto the place which Yahweh thy God shall choose, to make a habitation for his name there. And thou shalt come in unto the priest who shall be in those days, - and shalt say unto him - I declare to-day unto Yahweh thy God, that I am come into the land which Yahweh sware unto our fathers that he would give unto us.
And thou shalt come in unto the priest who shall be in those days, - and shalt say unto him - I declare to-day unto Yahweh thy God, that I am come into the land which Yahweh sware unto our fathers that he would give unto us. Then shall the priest take the basket out of thy hand, - and set it down before the altar of Yahweh thy God.
Then shall the priest take the basket out of thy hand, - and set it down before the altar of Yahweh thy God. And thou shalt respond and say before Yahweh thy God - A Syrian ready to perish, was my father, so he went down to Egypt, and became a sojourner there with men only few; but he became there a nation great, mighty and numerous;
And thou shalt respond and say before Yahweh thy God - A Syrian ready to perish, was my father, so he went down to Egypt, and became a sojourner there with men only few; but he became there a nation great, mighty and numerous; and the Egyptians, badly entreated us, and humiliated us, - and put upon us harsh service;
and the Egyptians, badly entreated us, and humiliated us, - and put upon us harsh service; so we made outcry unto Yahweh God of our fathers, - and Yahweh hearkened unto our voice, and looked upon our humiliation and our toil, and our oppression;
so we made outcry unto Yahweh God of our fathers, - and Yahweh hearkened unto our voice, and looked upon our humiliation and our toil, and our oppression; and Yahweh, brought us forth, out of Egypt, with a firm hand and with a stretched-out arm, and with great terror, - and with signs and with wonders;
and Yahweh, brought us forth, out of Egypt, with a firm hand and with a stretched-out arm, and with great terror, - and with signs and with wonders; and brought us into this place, and gave unto us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.
and brought us into this place, and gave unto us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Now, therefore lo! I have brought in the first of the fruit of the soil, which thou hast given unto me, O Yahweh. Thus shalt thou set it down before Yahweh thy God, and shall bow thyself down before Yahweh thy God;
Now, therefore lo! I have brought in the first of the fruit of the soil, which thou hast given unto me, O Yahweh. Thus shalt thou set it down before Yahweh thy God, and shall bow thyself down before Yahweh thy God; and shalt rejoice in all the good things which Yahweh thy God, hath given unto thee, and unto thy house, - thou and the Levite, and the sojourner who is in thy midst.
and shalt rejoice in all the good things which Yahweh thy God, hath given unto thee, and unto thy house, - thou and the Levite, and the sojourner who is in thy midst. When thou shalt make an end of tithing all the tithe of thine increase in the third year the year of tithing, - and shalt give unto the Levite unto the sojourner, unto the fatherless and unto the widow, and they shall eat within thy gates and be satisfied,
When thou shalt make an end of tithing all the tithe of thine increase in the third year the year of tithing, - and shalt give unto the Levite unto the sojourner, unto the fatherless and unto the widow, and they shall eat within thy gates and be satisfied, then shalt thou say - before Yahweh thy God: - I have carefully removed that which was hallowed out of the house moreover also I have given it unto the Levite, and unto the sojourner unto the fatherless and unto the widow, according to all thy commandment which thou hast commanded me, - I have not transgressed any of thy commandments neither have I forgotten,
then shalt thou say - before Yahweh thy God: - I have carefully removed that which was hallowed out of the house moreover also I have given it unto the Levite, and unto the sojourner unto the fatherless and unto the widow, according to all thy commandment which thou hast commanded me, - I have not transgressed any of thy commandments neither have I forgotten,
So he said unto them - Go your way, eat the fat and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared, for holy is the day, unto our Lord, - and be not grieved, for, the joy of Yahweh, is your strength.
So he said unto them - Go your way, eat the fat and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared, for holy is the day, unto our Lord, - and be not grieved, for, the joy of Yahweh, is your strength.
according to the days wherein the Jews found rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned for them, from sorrow to joy, and from mourning to a happy day, - that they should make them days of banqueting and rejoicing, and of sending portions, every one to his neighbour, and gifts, unto the needy.
according to the days wherein the Jews found rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned for them, from sorrow to joy, and from mourning to a happy day, - that they should make them days of banqueting and rejoicing, and of sending portions, every one to his neighbour, and gifts, unto the needy.
A father, was, I, to the needy, and, as for the cause which I knew not, I used to search it out;
A father, was, I, to the needy, and, as for the cause which I knew not, I used to search it out;
Or, used to eat my morsel alone, so that the fatherless did not eat thereof;
Or, used to eat my morsel alone, so that the fatherless did not eat thereof;
How happy is he that is attentive to the poor, In the day of calamity, will Yahweh deliver him:
How happy is he that is attentive to the poor, In the day of calamity, will Yahweh deliver him:
He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the needy, His righteousness, standeth for aye, His horn, shall be exalted in honour.
He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the needy, His righteousness, standeth for aye, His horn, shall be exalted in honour.
The treasures of lawlessness, do not profit, but, righteousness, delivereth from death.
The treasures of lawlessness, do not profit, but, righteousness, delivereth from death.
Wealth, shall not profit, in the day of wrath, but, righteousness, shall deliver from death.
Wealth, shall not profit, in the day of wrath, but, righteousness, shall deliver from death.
Is it not to break unto the hungry, thy bread, And the thrust-out oppressed, that thou bring into a home, - When thou seest one naked, that thou cover him, And from thine own flesh, shalt not hide thyself?
Is it not to break unto the hungry, thy bread, And the thrust-out oppressed, that thou bring into a home, - When thou seest one naked, that thou cover him, And from thine own flesh, shalt not hide thyself?
Wherefore, O king, let, my counsel, be pleasing unto thee, thy sin, then, - by righteousness, break thou off, and, thine iniquities, by shewing favour to the oppressed, - if so be it may become the lengthening out of thy security.
Wherefore, O king, let, my counsel, be pleasing unto thee, thy sin, then, - by righteousness, break thou off, and, thine iniquities, by shewing favour to the oppressed, - if so be it may become the lengthening out of thy security.
Buttake heed, that ye do not, your righteousness, before men, to be gazed at by them, - otherwise at least, reward, have ye none, with your Father who is in the heavens.
Buttake heed, that ye do not, your righteousness, before men, to be gazed at by them, - otherwise at least, reward, have ye none, with your Father who is in the heavens.
Buttake heed, that ye do not, your righteousness, before men, to be gazed at by them, - otherwise at least, reward, have ye none, with your Father who is in the heavens.
Buttake heed, that ye do not, your righteousness, before men, to be gazed at by them, - otherwise at least, reward, have ye none, with your Father who is in the heavens. When, therefore, thou mayest be doing an alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, just as, the hypocrites, do in the synagogues and in the streets - that they may be glorified by men, - Verily, I say unto you, they are getting back their reward.
When, therefore, thou mayest be doing an alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, just as, the hypocrites, do in the synagogues and in the streets - that they may be glorified by men, - Verily, I say unto you, they are getting back their reward.
And, taking his seat over against the treasury, he was observing how, the multitude, was casting in copper into the treasury, and, man rich, were casting in, much.
And, taking his seat over against the treasury, he was observing how, the multitude, was casting in copper into the treasury, and, man rich, were casting in, much. And there came, one destitute, widow, and cast in two mites, which are, a farthing.
And there came, one destitute, widow, and cast in two mites, which are, a farthing.
And there came, one destitute, widow, and cast in two mites, which are, a farthing.
And there came, one destitute, widow, and cast in two mites, which are, a farthing. And, calling near his disciples, he said to them - Verily, I say unto you, this destitute widow, more than they all, hath cast in, of those casting into the treasury;
And, calling near his disciples, he said to them - Verily, I say unto you, this destitute widow, more than they all, hath cast in, of those casting into the treasury;
And, calling near his disciples, he said to them - Verily, I say unto you, this destitute widow, more than they all, hath cast in, of those casting into the treasury;
And, calling near his disciples, he said to them - Verily, I say unto you, this destitute widow, more than they all, hath cast in, of those casting into the treasury; For, they all, out of their surplus, cast in, but, she, out of her deficiency, all, as much as she had, cast in, - the whole of her living.
For, they all, out of their surplus, cast in, but, she, out of her deficiency, all, as much as she had, cast in, - the whole of her living.
For, they all, out of their surplus, cast in, but, she, out of her deficiency, all, as much as she had, cast in, - the whole of her living.
For, they all, out of their surplus, cast in, but, she, out of her deficiency, all, as much as she had, cast in, - the whole of her living.
But, whensoever, an entertainment, thou mayest be making, invite the destitute, the tried, the lame, the blind;
But, whensoever, an entertainment, thou mayest be making, invite the destitute, the tried, the lame, the blind;
For, some, were thinking, since Judas held the bag, that Jesus was saying to him - Buy the things of which we have, need, for the feast; or that, unto the destitute, he should give something.
For, some, were thinking, since Judas held the bag, that Jesus was saying to him - Buy the things of which we have, need, for the feast; or that, unto the destitute, he should give something.
and, their possessions and goods, were they selling and distributing them unto all, in so far as anyone had need.
and, their possessions and goods, were they selling and distributing them unto all, in so far as anyone had need.
While it remained, was it not, as thine own, it remained? and, when sold, was it not, in thine own authority, that it still continued? Why was it that thou didst contrive in thy heart this deed? Thou hast not dealt falsely with men but, with God.
While it remained, was it not, as thine own, it remained? and, when sold, was it not, in thine own authority, that it still continued? Why was it that thou didst contrive in thy heart this deed? Thou hast not dealt falsely with men but, with God.
Now, in Joppa, there was a certain female disciple, by name Tabitha, which, being translated, means Dorcas a Gazelle . The same, was full of good works and alms which she was doing.
Now, in Joppa, there was a certain female disciple, by name Tabitha, which, being translated, means Dorcas a Gazelle . The same, was full of good works and alms which she was doing.
Now, in Joppa, there was a certain female disciple, by name Tabitha, which, being translated, means Dorcas a Gazelle . The same, was full of good works and alms which she was doing.
Now, in Joppa, there was a certain female disciple, by name Tabitha, which, being translated, means Dorcas a Gazelle . The same, was full of good works and alms which she was doing.
Devout, and fearing God with all his house, doing many alms unto the people, and supplicating God continually,
Devout, and fearing God with all his house, doing many alms unto the people, and supplicating God continually,
Devout, and fearing God with all his house, doing many alms unto the people, and supplicating God continually,
Devout, and fearing God with all his house, doing many alms unto the people, and supplicating God continually,
And he, looking steadfastly at him, and becoming full of fear, said - What is it, Lord? And he said unto him - Thy prayers and thine alms, have gone up for a memorial before God.
And he, looking steadfastly at him, and becoming full of fear, said - What is it, Lord? And he said unto him - Thy prayers and thine alms, have gone up for a memorial before God.
And, according as any one of the disciples was being prospered, they each one of them set apart something for ministering, to send unto the brethren, who dwelt in Jerusalem; -
And, according as any one of the disciples was being prospered, they each one of them set apart something for ministering, to send unto the brethren, who dwelt in Jerusalem; - Which thing they also did, sending it unto the Elders, through the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
Which thing they also did, sending it unto the Elders, through the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
In all things, I gave you to understand, that, thus toiling, it behoves to be helping the weak, also to be keeping in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, that, he himself, said - Happy is it, rather to give than to receive!
In all things, I gave you to understand, that, thus toiling, it behoves to be helping the weak, also to be keeping in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, that, he himself, said - Happy is it, rather to give than to receive!
But, now, I am journeying unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the saints;
But, now, I am journeying unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the saints; For Macedonia and Achaia have been well-pleased to make a certain fellowship for the destitute of the saints who are in Jerusalem, -
For Macedonia and Achaia have been well-pleased to make a certain fellowship for the destitute of the saints who are in Jerusalem, - They have been well-pleased, indeed, - and, their debtors, they are; for, if, with their spiritual things the nations have come into fellowship, they are bound also with their own carnal things to minister publicly unto them.
They have been well-pleased, indeed, - and, their debtors, they are; for, if, with their spiritual things the nations have come into fellowship, they are bound also with their own carnal things to minister publicly unto them.
Now, concerning the collection which is for the saints, just as I directed the assemblies of Galatia, so, also do, ye: -
Now, concerning the collection which is for the saints, just as I directed the assemblies of Galatia, so, also do, ye: - Upon the first of the week, let, each one of you, put, by itself, in store, as he may be prospering, - lest, as soon as I come, then, collections, should be in progress.
Upon the first of the week, let, each one of you, put, by itself, in store, as he may be prospering, - lest, as soon as I come, then, collections, should be in progress. And, as soon as I arrive, whomsoever ye shall approve by letters, these, will I send, to bear away your favour unto Jerusalem:
And, as soon as I arrive, whomsoever ye shall approve by letters, these, will I send, to bear away your favour unto Jerusalem: And, if it be meet that, I also, be journeying, with me, shall they journey.
And, if it be meet that, I also, be journeying, with me, shall they journey.
Necessary, therefore, I regarded it, to exhort the brethren that they would go forward unto you, and make up beforehand your previously-promised blessing. The same, to be ready - thus, as a blessing, and not as of constraint.
Necessary, therefore, I regarded it, to exhort the brethren that they would go forward unto you, and make up beforehand your previously-promised blessing. The same, to be ready - thus, as a blessing, and not as of constraint. As to this, however, he that soweth sparingly, sparingly, also shall reap, and, he that soweth with blessings, with blessings, also shall reap:
As to this, however, he that soweth sparingly, sparingly, also shall reap, and, he that soweth with blessings, with blessings, also shall reap: Each one, according as he hath purposed in his heart, not sorrowfully, nor of necessity, - for, a cheerful giver, God, loveth.
Each one, according as he hath purposed in his heart, not sorrowfully, nor of necessity, - for, a cheerful giver, God, loveth.
Only that we should remember, the destitute, - as to which I had given diligence, this very thing, to do.
Only that we should remember, the destitute, - as to which I had given diligence, this very thing, to do.
Let, the stealer, no more, steal, but rather let him be toiling, - working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have wherewith to be giving away to him that hath need;
Let, the stealer, no more, steal, but rather let him be toiling, - working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have wherewith to be giving away to him that hath need;
In noble works, being well-attested; - if she hath nourished children, if she hath shewn hospitality, if, saints feet, she hath washed, if, them who were in tribulation, she hath succoured, if, in every good, work she hath followed on:
In noble works, being well-attested; - if she hath nourished children, if she hath shewn hospitality, if, saints feet, she hath washed, if, them who were in tribulation, she hath succoured, if, in every good, work she hath followed on:
Morish
Offerings given to the poor. It was righteous to do so: hence, giving to the poor is called righteousness. Ps 112:9; 2Co 9:9. In the law provision was made for the poor. Ex 23:11; Le 19:10. It is declared that the poor would never cease out of the land; and if not relieved and they cried to the Lord, it would be accounted a sin against those who should have aided them. De 15:7-11. On the other hand, we read that "he that hath pity upon the poor lendeth to the Lord, and that which he hath given will he pay him again." Pr 19:17. In the N.T. the same thing is enforced. We are exhorted to do good unto all men, especially unto them of the household of faith. Ga 6:10. "He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly . . . . the Lord loveth a cheerful giver;" and whole chapters were written to stir up the saints to give liberally to the poor in Judaea. "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
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but the seventh year, shalt thou let it rest and be still so shall the needy of thy people eat, and what they leave, shall the wild-beast of the field eat, - in like manner, shalt thou deal with thy vineyard with thine oliveyard.
And, thy vineyard, shalt thou not go over again, nor gather, every single grape: for the poor and for the sojourner, shalt thou leave them, I - Yahweh, am your God.
When there cometh to be among you a needy person any one of thy brethren within any one of thy gates, in thy land, which Yahweh thy God is giving unto thee, thou shalt not harden thy heart nor shut thy hand from thy needy brother; but thou shalt, open, thy hand unto him, - and, lend, him enough to meet the poverty which doth impoverish him. read more. Take thou heed to thyself lest there be something near thine abandoned heart, saying - Drawing nigh, is the seventh year the year of release, and so thine eye be evil, against thy needy brother, and thou give not unto him, - and he cry out against thee unto Yahweh, and it become in thee a sin! Thou shalt, give, unto him, and thy heart shall not be evil when thou givest unto him, - for on account of this very thing, will Yahweh thy God bless thee, in all that thou doest and in all whereunto thou puttest thy hand. For the needy will not cease out of the midst of the land - for this cause, am I commanding thee, saying, Thou shalt open, thy hand unto thy brother to thy poor and to thy needy, in thy land.
He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the needy, His righteousness, standeth for aye, His horn, shall be exalted in honour.
A lender to Yahweh, is one who sheweth favour to the poor, and, his good deed, He will pay him back.
Hence, then, as we have opportunity, let us be working what is good, towards all, - but, especially, towards the family of the faith.
Smith
Alms.
The duty of alms-giving, especially in kind, consisting chiefly in portions to be left designedly from produce of the field, the vineyard and the oliveyard,
Le 19:9-10; 23:22; De 15:11; 24:19; 26:2-13; Ru 2:2
is strictly enjoined by the law. Every third year also,
De 14:28
each proprietor was directed to share the tithe of his produce with "the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless and the widow." The theological estimate of alms-giving among the Jews is indicated in the following passages:
Job 31:17; Pr 10:2; 11:4; Es 9:22; Ps 112:9; Ac 9:36
the case of Dorcas;
of Cornelius; to which may be added Tobit 4:10,11; 14:10,11, and Ecclus. 3:30; 40:24. The Pharisees were zealous in almsgiving, but too ostentatious their mode of performance, for which our Lord finds fault with them.
The duty of relieving the poor was not neglected by the Christians.
Mt 6:1-4; Lu 14:13; Ac 20:35; Ga 2:10
Regular proportionate giving was expected.
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And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly clear the border of thy field, in reaping, - nor shalt thou gather up the gleaning of thy harvest. And, thy vineyard, shalt thou not go over again, nor gather, every single grape: for the poor and for the sojourner, shalt thou leave them, I - Yahweh, am your God.
And, when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly clear the border of thy field when thou reapest, and, the gleanings of thy field, shalt thou not glean, - for the poor and for the sojourner, shalt thou leave them. I - Yahweh, am your God.
At the end of three years, shalt thou bring forth all the tithe of thine increase in that year, - and shalt lay it up within thy gates;
For the needy will not cease out of the midst of the land - for this cause, am I commanding thee, saying, Thou shalt open, thy hand unto thy brother to thy poor and to thy needy, in thy land.
When thou cuttest down thy harvest in thy field and forgettest a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not turn back to fetch it, to the sojourner, to the fatherless, and to the widow, shall it belong, - that Yahweh thy God, may bless thee, in all the Work of thy hands.
then shalt thou take - of the first of all the fruit of the soil which thou shalt bring in from thy land which Yahweh thy God is giving unto thee and shalt put it in a basket, - and go thy way unto the place which Yahweh thy God shall choose, to make a habitation for his name there. And thou shalt come in unto the priest who shall be in those days, - and shalt say unto him - I declare to-day unto Yahweh thy God, that I am come into the land which Yahweh sware unto our fathers that he would give unto us. read more. Then shall the priest take the basket out of thy hand, - and set it down before the altar of Yahweh thy God. And thou shalt respond and say before Yahweh thy God - A Syrian ready to perish, was my father, so he went down to Egypt, and became a sojourner there with men only few; but he became there a nation great, mighty and numerous; and the Egyptians, badly entreated us, and humiliated us, - and put upon us harsh service; so we made outcry unto Yahweh God of our fathers, - and Yahweh hearkened unto our voice, and looked upon our humiliation and our toil, and our oppression; and Yahweh, brought us forth, out of Egypt, with a firm hand and with a stretched-out arm, and with great terror, - and with signs and with wonders; and brought us into this place, and gave unto us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Now, therefore lo! I have brought in the first of the fruit of the soil, which thou hast given unto me, O Yahweh. Thus shalt thou set it down before Yahweh thy God, and shall bow thyself down before Yahweh thy God; and shalt rejoice in all the good things which Yahweh thy God, hath given unto thee, and unto thy house, - thou and the Levite, and the sojourner who is in thy midst. When thou shalt make an end of tithing all the tithe of thine increase in the third year the year of tithing, - and shalt give unto the Levite unto the sojourner, unto the fatherless and unto the widow, and they shall eat within thy gates and be satisfied, then shalt thou say - before Yahweh thy God: - I have carefully removed that which was hallowed out of the house moreover also I have given it unto the Levite, and unto the sojourner unto the fatherless and unto the widow, according to all thy commandment which thou hast commanded me, - I have not transgressed any of thy commandments neither have I forgotten,
And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi - Let me go, I pray thee, to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose eyes I may find favour. And she said to her - Go, my daughter.
according to the days wherein the Jews found rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned for them, from sorrow to joy, and from mourning to a happy day, - that they should make them days of banqueting and rejoicing, and of sending portions, every one to his neighbour, and gifts, unto the needy.
Or, used to eat my morsel alone, so that the fatherless did not eat thereof;
He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the needy, His righteousness, standeth for aye, His horn, shall be exalted in honour.
The treasures of lawlessness, do not profit, but, righteousness, delivereth from death.
Wealth, shall not profit, in the day of wrath, but, righteousness, shall deliver from death.
Buttake heed, that ye do not, your righteousness, before men, to be gazed at by them, - otherwise at least, reward, have ye none, with your Father who is in the heavens. When, therefore, thou mayest be doing an alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, just as, the hypocrites, do in the synagogues and in the streets - that they may be glorified by men, - Verily, I say unto you, they are getting back their reward.
When, therefore, thou mayest be doing an alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, just as, the hypocrites, do in the synagogues and in the streets - that they may be glorified by men, - Verily, I say unto you, they are getting back their reward. But, thou, when doing an alms, let not, thy left hand, know what thy right hand is doing; read more. that thine alms may be in secret, - and, thy Father, who seeth in secret, will give it back to thee.
But, whensoever, an entertainment, thou mayest be making, invite the destitute, the tried, the lame, the blind;
Now, in Joppa, there was a certain female disciple, by name Tabitha, which, being translated, means Dorcas a Gazelle . The same, was full of good works and alms which she was doing.
Devout, and fearing God with all his house, doing many alms unto the people, and supplicating God continually,
Which thing they also did, sending it unto the Elders, through the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
In all things, I gave you to understand, that, thus toiling, it behoves to be helping the weak, also to be keeping in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, that, he himself, said - Happy is it, rather to give than to receive!
But, now, I am journeying unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the saints; For Macedonia and Achaia have been well-pleased to make a certain fellowship for the destitute of the saints who are in Jerusalem, - read more. They have been well-pleased, indeed, - and, their debtors, they are; for, if, with their spiritual things the nations have come into fellowship, they are bound also with their own carnal things to minister publicly unto them.
Only that we should remember, the destitute, - as to which I had given diligence, this very thing, to do.