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
Take care not to practise your charity before men in order to be noticed; otherwise you get no reward from your Father in heaven. No, When you give alms, make no flourish of trumpets like the hypocrites in the synagogues and the streets, so as to win applause from men; I tell you truly, they do get their reward.
Then they reached Jericho; and as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a considerable crowd, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, the blind beggar who sat beside the road,
He replied, "Let everyone who possesses two shirts share with him who has none, and let him who has food do likewise."
give to anyone who asks you, and do not ask your goods back from anyone who has taken them.
No, when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.
some of them thought that as Judas kept the money-box, Jesus told him to buy what they needed for the festival or to give something to the poor.)
when a man lame from birth was carried past, who used to be laid every day at what was called the 'Beautiful Gate' of the temple, to ask alms from those who entered the temple.
At Joppa there was a disciple called Tabitha (which may be translated Dorcas, or 'Gazelle'), a woman whose life was full of good actions and of charitable practices.
a religious man, who reverenced God with all his household, who was liberal in his alms to the People, and who constantly prayed to God.
He stared at the angel in terror, saying, "What is it?" He replied, "Your prayers and your alms have risen before God as a sacrifice to be remembered.
So the disciples put aside money, as each of them was able to afford it, for a contribution to be sent to the brothers in Judaea.
I showed you how this was the way to work hard and succour the needy, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, 'To give is happier than to get.'"
After a lapse of several years I came up with alms and offerings for my nation,
At the moment I am off to Jerusalem on an errand to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have decided to make a contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. read more. Such was their decision; and yet this is a debt they owe to these people, for if the Gentiles have shared their spiritual blessings, they owe them a debt of aid in material blessings.
Only, we were to 'remember the poor.' I was quite eager to do that myself.
But whoever possesses this world's goods, and notices his brother in need, and shuts his heart against him, how can love to God remain 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
Take care not to practise your charity before men in order to be noticed; otherwise you get no reward from your Father in heaven. No,
Take care not to practise your charity before men in order to be noticed; otherwise you get no reward from your Father in heaven. No,
Take care not to practise your charity before men in order to be noticed; otherwise you get no reward from your Father in heaven. No,
Take care not to practise your charity before men in order to be noticed; otherwise you get no reward from your Father in heaven. No, When you give alms, make no flourish of trumpets like the hypocrites in the synagogues and the streets, so as to win applause from men; I tell you truly, they do get their reward.
When you give alms, make no flourish of trumpets like the hypocrites in the synagogues and the streets, so as to win applause from men; I tell you truly, they do get their reward.
Sitting down opposite the treasury, he watched the people putting their money into the treasury. A number of the rich were putting in large sums,
Sitting down opposite the treasury, he watched the people putting their money into the treasury. A number of the rich were putting in large sums, but a poor widow came up and put in two little coins amounting to a halfpenny.
but a poor widow came up and put in two little coins amounting to a halfpenny.
but a poor widow came up and put in two little coins amounting to a halfpenny.
but a poor widow came up and put in two little coins amounting to a halfpenny. And he called his disciples and said to them, "I tell you truly, this poor widow has put in more than all who have put their money into the treasury;
And he called his disciples and said to them, "I tell you truly, this poor widow has put in more than all who have put their money into the treasury;
And he called his disciples and said to them, "I tell you truly, this poor widow has put in more than all who have put their money into the treasury;
And he called his disciples and said to them, "I tell you truly, this poor widow has put in more than all who have put their money into the treasury; for they have all put in a contribution out of their surplus, but she has given out of her neediness all she possessed, her whole living."
for they have all put in a contribution out of their surplus, but she has given out of her neediness all she possessed, her whole living."
for they have all put in a contribution out of their surplus, but she has given out of her neediness all she possessed, her whole living."
for they have all put in a contribution out of their surplus, but she has given out of her neediness all she possessed, her whole living."
No, when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.
No, when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.
some of them thought that as Judas kept the money-box, Jesus told him to buy what they needed for the festival or to give something to the poor.)
some of them thought that as Judas kept the money-box, Jesus told him to buy what they needed for the festival or to give something to the poor.)
they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds among all, as anyone might be in need.
they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds among all, as anyone might be in need.
When it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And even after the sale, was the money not yours to do as you pleased about it? How could you think of doing a thing like this? You have not defrauded men but God."
When it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And even after the sale, was the money not yours to do as you pleased about it? How could you think of doing a thing like this? You have not defrauded men but God."
At Joppa there was a disciple called Tabitha (which may be translated Dorcas, or 'Gazelle'), a woman whose life was full of good actions and of charitable practices.
At Joppa there was a disciple called Tabitha (which may be translated Dorcas, or 'Gazelle'), a woman whose life was full of good actions and of charitable practices.
At Joppa there was a disciple called Tabitha (which may be translated Dorcas, or 'Gazelle'), a woman whose life was full of good actions and of charitable practices.
At Joppa there was a disciple called Tabitha (which may be translated Dorcas, or 'Gazelle'), a woman whose life was full of good actions and of charitable practices.
a religious man, who reverenced God with all his household, who was liberal in his alms to the People, and who constantly prayed to God.
a religious man, who reverenced God with all his household, who was liberal in his alms to the People, and who constantly prayed to God.
a religious man, who reverenced God with all his household, who was liberal in his alms to the People, and who constantly prayed to God.
a religious man, who reverenced God with all his household, who was liberal in his alms to the People, and who constantly prayed to God.
He stared at the angel in terror, saying, "What is it?" He replied, "Your prayers and your alms have risen before God as a sacrifice to be remembered.
He stared at the angel in terror, saying, "What is it?" He replied, "Your prayers and your alms have risen before God as a sacrifice to be remembered.
So the disciples put aside money, as each of them was able to afford it, for a contribution to be sent to the brothers in Judaea.
So the disciples put aside money, as each of them was able to afford it, for a contribution to be sent to the brothers in Judaea. This they carried out, sending their contribution to the presbyters by Barnabas and Saul.
This they carried out, sending their contribution to the presbyters by Barnabas and Saul.
I showed you how this was the way to work hard and succour the needy, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, 'To give is happier than to get.'"
I showed you how this was the way to work hard and succour the needy, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, 'To give is happier than to get.'"
At the moment I am off to Jerusalem on an errand to the saints.
At the moment I am off to Jerusalem on an errand to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have decided to make a contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.
For Macedonia and Achaia have decided to make a contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. Such was their decision; and yet this is a debt they owe to these people, for if the Gentiles have shared their spiritual blessings, they owe them a debt of aid in material blessings.
Such was their decision; and yet this is a debt they owe to these people, for if the Gentiles have shared their spiritual blessings, they owe them a debt of aid in material blessings.
With regard to the collection for the saints, you must carry out the same arrangements as I made for the churches of Galatia.
With regard to the collection for the saints, you must carry out the same arrangements as I made for the churches of Galatia. On the first day of the week let each of you put aside a sum from his weekly gains, so that the money may not have to be collected when I come.
On the first day of the week let each of you put aside a sum from his weekly gains, so that the money may not have to be collected when I come. On my arrival I will furnish credentials for those whom you select, and send them to convey your bounty to Jerusalem;
On my arrival I will furnish credentials for those whom you select, and send them to convey your bounty to Jerusalem; if the sum makes it worth my while to go too, they shall accompany me.
if the sum makes it worth my while to go too, they shall accompany me.
That is why I have thought it necessary to ask these brothers to go on in advance and get your promised contribution ready in good time. I want it to be forthcoming as a generous gift, not as money wrung out of you.
That is why I have thought it necessary to ask these brothers to go on in advance and get your promised contribution ready in good time. I want it to be forthcoming as a generous gift, not as money wrung out of you. Mark this: he who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and he who sows generously will reap a generous harvest.
Mark this: he who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and he who sows generously will reap a generous harvest. Everyone is to give what he has made up his mind to give; there is to be no grudging or compulsion about it, for God loves the giver who gives cheerfully.
Everyone is to give what he has made up his mind to give; there is to be no grudging or compulsion about it, for God loves the giver who gives cheerfully.
Only, we were to 'remember the poor.' I was quite eager to do that myself.
Only, we were to 'remember the poor.' I was quite eager to do that myself.
Let the thief steal no more; rather let him work and put his hands to an honest task, so as to have something to contribute to the needy.
Let the thief steal no more; rather let him work and put his hands to an honest task, so as to have something to contribute to the needy.
she must have a reputation for good service, as a woman who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, relieved distress, and interested herself in all good works.
she must have a reputation for good service, as a woman who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, relieved distress, and interested herself in all good works.
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."
See Verses Found in Dictionary
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men and in particular to the household 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.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Take care not to practise your charity before men in order to be noticed; otherwise you get no reward from your Father in heaven. No, When you give alms, make no flourish of trumpets like the hypocrites in the synagogues and the streets, so as to win applause from men; I tell you truly, they do get their reward.
When you give alms, make no flourish of trumpets like the hypocrites in the synagogues and the streets, so as to win applause from men; I tell you truly, they do get their reward. When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, read more. so as to keep your alms secret; then your Father who sees what is secret will reward you openly.
No, when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.
At Joppa there was a disciple called Tabitha (which may be translated Dorcas, or 'Gazelle'), a woman whose life was full of good actions and of charitable practices.
a religious man, who reverenced God with all his household, who was liberal in his alms to the People, and who constantly prayed to God.
This they carried out, sending their contribution to the presbyters by Barnabas and Saul.
I showed you how this was the way to work hard and succour the needy, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, 'To give is happier than to get.'"
At the moment I am off to Jerusalem on an errand to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have decided to make a contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. read more. Such was their decision; and yet this is a debt they owe to these people, for if the Gentiles have shared their spiritual blessings, they owe them a debt of aid in material blessings.
Only, we were to 'remember the poor.' I was quite eager to do that myself.