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 heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen by them, otherwise at least ye have no reward with your Father Who is in Heaven. When, therefore, you are doing alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say to you, they receive their reward.
And they come to Jericho: and, as He was going forth from Jericho, with His disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road.
And he, answering, said to them, "Let him who has two coats share with him who has none; and let him who has food do likewise."
"Give to every one who asks of you; and of him who takes away your goods, ask them not back.
but, when you make a feast, call the poor, maimed, lame, blind;
for some thought, because Judas had the money-bag, that Jesus said to him, "Buy what we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor.
And a certain man, lame from his mother's womb, was being carried along, whom they were wont to lay daily at the gate of the temple??hich was called "Beautiful"??o ask alms of those entering the temple;
Now there was in Joppa a certain disciple, Tabitha by name, (which being translated means Dorcas): this woman was full of good works and alms which she was accustomed to do.
And he, looking intently on him, and becoming much afraid, said, "What is it, lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and alms went up for a memorial before God.
And the disciples, according as any one of them was being prospered, determined, each of them, to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judaea;
In all things I showed you that, thus laboring, ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Now, after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings;
but now I am going to Jerusalem, ministering to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia were well pleased to make a certain contribution to the poor of the saints who are in Jerusalem. read more. Indeed, they were well pleased, and their debtors they are; for, if the gentiles were partakers of their spiritual things, they ought also to minister to them in carnal things.
only they desired that we should remember the poor, which very thing I was also eager to do.
But whosoever possesses the goods of the world, and beholds his brother having need, and shuts up his compassion from him, how does the love of God abide 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 heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen by them, otherwise at least ye have no reward with your Father Who is in Heaven.
"Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen by them, otherwise at least ye have no reward with your Father Who is in Heaven.
"Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen by them, otherwise at least ye have no reward with your Father Who is in Heaven.
"Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen by them, otherwise at least ye have no reward with your Father Who is in Heaven. When, therefore, you are doing alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say to you, they receive their reward.
When, therefore, you are doing alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say to you, they receive their reward.
And, haring taken a seat over against the treasury, He was beholding how the multitude cast money into the treasury; and many who were rich cast in much.
And, haring taken a seat over against the treasury, He was beholding how the multitude cast money into the treasury; and many who were rich cast in much. And one poor widow, coming, cast in two mites, which is a farthing.
And one poor widow, coming, cast in two mites, which is a farthing.
And one poor widow, coming, cast in two mites, which is a farthing.
And one poor widow, coming, cast in two mites, which is a farthing. And, calling to Him His disciples, He said to them, "Verily I say to you, this poor widow cast in more than all who are casting into the treasury;
And, calling to Him His disciples, He said to them, "Verily I say to you, this poor widow cast in more than all who are casting into the treasury;
And, calling to Him His disciples, He said to them, "Verily I say to you, this poor widow cast in more than all who are casting into the treasury;
And, calling to Him His disciples, He said to them, "Verily I say to you, this poor widow cast in more than all who are casting into the treasury; for they all did cast in out of their abundance; but she out of her want cast in all that she had??er whole living."
for they all did cast in out of their abundance; but she out of her want cast in all that she had??er whole living."
for they all did cast in out of their abundance; but she out of her want cast in all that she had??er whole living."
for they all did cast in out of their abundance; but she out of her want cast in all that she had??er whole living."
but, when you make a feast, call the poor, maimed, lame, blind;
but, when you make a feast, call the poor, maimed, lame, blind;
for some thought, because Judas had the money-bag, that Jesus said to him, "Buy what we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor.
for some thought, because Judas had the money-bag, that Jesus said to him, "Buy what we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor.
and they were selling their possessions and goods, and were distributing them to all, according as any one had need.
and they were selling their possessions and goods, and were distributing them to all, according as any one had need.
While remaining, did it not remain your own? and, when sold, did it not continue in your own authority? Why did you conceive in your heart this thing? You did not lie to men, but to God."
While remaining, did it not remain your own? and, when sold, did it not continue in your own authority? Why did you conceive in your heart this thing? You did not lie to men, but to God."
Now there was in Joppa a certain disciple, Tabitha by name, (which being translated means Dorcas): this woman was full of good works and alms which she was accustomed to do.
Now there was in Joppa a certain disciple, Tabitha by name, (which being translated means Dorcas): this woman was full of good works and alms which she was accustomed to do.
Now there was in Joppa a certain disciple, Tabitha by name, (which being translated means Dorcas): this woman was full of good works and alms which she was accustomed to do.
Now there was in Joppa a certain disciple, Tabitha by name, (which being translated means Dorcas): this woman was full of good works and alms which she was accustomed to do.
And he, looking intently on him, and becoming much afraid, said, "What is it, lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and alms went up for a memorial before God.
And he, looking intently on him, and becoming much afraid, said, "What is it, lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and alms went up for a memorial before God.
And the disciples, according as any one of them was being prospered, determined, each of them, to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judaea;
And the disciples, according as any one of them was being prospered, determined, each of them, to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judaea; which also they did, sending it to the elders through the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
which also they did, sending it to the elders through the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
In all things I showed you that, thus laboring, ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
In all things I showed you that, thus laboring, ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
but now I am going to Jerusalem, ministering to the saints.
but now I am going to Jerusalem, ministering to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia were well pleased to make a certain contribution to the poor of the saints who are in Jerusalem.
For Macedonia and Achaia were well pleased to make a certain contribution to the poor of the saints who are in Jerusalem. Indeed, they were well pleased, and their debtors they are; for, if the gentiles were partakers of their spiritual things, they ought also to minister to them in carnal things.
Indeed, they were well pleased, and their debtors they are; for, if the gentiles were partakers of their spiritual things, they ought also to minister to them in carnal things.
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the assemblies of Galatia, so also do ye.
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the assemblies of Galatia, so also do ye. On the first day of the sabbaths, let each one of you lay by him, treasuring it up, as he may prosper, that no collections be made, when I come.
On the first day of the sabbaths, let each one of you lay by him, treasuring it up, as he may prosper, that no collections be made, when I come. And, when I arrive, whomsoever ye may approve, the same will I send with letters to carry your bounty to Jerusalem;
And, when I arrive, whomsoever ye may approve, the same will I send with letters to carry your bounty to Jerusalem; and, if it be meet for me also to go, they shall go with me.
I thought it necessary, therefore, to exhort the brethren, that they should go before to you, and make up beforehand your previously promised bounty, that this may be ready as a matter of bounty and not as of covetousness.
I thought it necessary, therefore, to exhort the brethren, that they should go before to you, and make up beforehand your previously promised bounty, that this may be ready as a matter of bounty and not as of covetousness. But I say this: He that sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he that sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.
But I say this: He that sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he that sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each one do as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Let each one do as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.
only they desired that we should remember the poor, which very thing I was also eager to do.
only they desired that we should remember the poor, which very thing I was also eager to do.
Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands that which is good, that he may have to impart to him that has need.
Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands that which is good, that he may have to impart to him that has need.
noted for good works; if she nourished children, if she used hospitality, if she washed the saints' feet, if she relieved those in tribulation, if she diligently followed every good work.
noted for good works; if she nourished children, if she used hospitality, if she washed the saints' feet, if she relieved those in tribulation, if she diligently followed every good work.
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, but especially to those of 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 heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen by them, otherwise at least ye have no reward with your Father Who is in Heaven. When, therefore, you are doing alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say to you, they receive their reward.
When, therefore, you are doing alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say to you, they receive their reward. But, when you are doing alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing, read more. that your alms may be in secret; and your Father, Who seeth in secret, will recompense you.
but, when you make a feast, call the poor, maimed, lame, blind;
Now there was in Joppa a certain disciple, Tabitha by name, (which being translated means Dorcas): this woman was full of good works and alms which she was accustomed to do.
which also they did, sending it to the elders through the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
In all things I showed you that, thus laboring, ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
but now I am going to Jerusalem, ministering to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia were well pleased to make a certain contribution to the poor of the saints who are in Jerusalem. read more. Indeed, they were well pleased, and their debtors they are; for, if the gentiles were partakers of their spiritual things, they ought also to minister to them in carnal things.
only they desired that we should remember the poor, which very thing I was also eager to do.