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 alms before men, to be observed by them: otherwise ye will have no reward from your Father, who is in heaven. Therefore when thou dost an alms-deed, do not proclaim it abroad, as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues, and in the streets, that they may be applauded by men. Verily I tell you, they have their reward.
And they came to Jericho: and as He was going out of Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimeus, the son of Timeus, sat by the way-side begging.
And he saith unto them, Let him that hath two coats, give one to him that hath none, and let him that hath food do the like.
give to him that asketh thee, and from him that taketh thy goods on loan demand nothing.
But when thou makest a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind; and thou shalt be happy;
For some of them thought, because Judas kept the purse, that Jesus said to him, Buy what things we have need of against the feast: or that he should give something to the poor.
And a certain man who had been lame from his birth was carried along; whom they laid every day at the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of those that were going into the temple:
And there was at Joppa a certain female disciple named Tabitha, who by interpretation is called in Greek Dorcas: and she was full of good works and alms-deeds.
and one that feared God, with all his house; giving also much alms to the people, and praying to God continually.
and he looking earnestly at him, and being afraid, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up as a memorial before God.
And each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judea.
I have shewed you in all things, that by labouring thus ye ought to support the infirm; and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For the Macedonians and Achaians have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor saints at Jerusalem. read more. It pleased them, I say, and they are indeed their debtors; for if the Gentiles have partook of their spiritual things, they ought also to be helpful to them in carnal ones.
Only desiring that we would remember the poor: which I also was forward to do.
But if any one, who hath the good things of the world, seeth his brother in want, and shutteth up his bowels from him, how dwelleth the love of God 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 alms before men, to be observed by them: otherwise ye will have no reward from your Father, who is in heaven.
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be observed by them: otherwise ye will have no reward from your Father, who is in heaven.
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be observed by them: otherwise ye will have no reward from your Father, who is in heaven.
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be observed by them: otherwise ye will have no reward from your Father, who is in heaven. Therefore when thou dost an alms-deed, do not proclaim it abroad, as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues, and in the streets, that they may be applauded by men. Verily I tell you, they have their reward.
Therefore when thou dost an alms-deed, do not proclaim it abroad, as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues, and in the streets, that they may be applauded by men. Verily I tell you, they have their reward.
And as Jesus was sitting over against the treasury, He saw how the people threw money into the treasury, and many of the rich put in much;
And as Jesus was sitting over against the treasury, He saw how the people threw money into the treasury, and many of the rich put in much; and there came a poor widow and put in two mites, that is, a farthing.
and there came a poor widow and put in two mites, that is, a farthing.
and there came a poor widow and put in two mites, that is, a farthing.
and there came a poor widow and put in two mites, that is, a farthing. And He called his disciples to Him, and saith unto them, Verily I tell you, that this poor widow has given more than all those who have cast into the treasury.
And He called his disciples to Him, and saith unto them, Verily I tell you, that this poor widow has given more than all those who have cast into the treasury.
And He called his disciples to Him, and saith unto them, Verily I tell you, that this poor widow has given more than all those who have cast into the treasury.
And He called his disciples to Him, and saith unto them, Verily I tell you, that this poor widow has given more than all those who have cast into the treasury. For they all have contributed out of their abundance: but she out of her penury hath given all that she had, even her whole living.
For they all have contributed out of their abundance: but she out of her penury hath given all that she had, even her whole living.
For they all have contributed out of their abundance: but she out of her penury hath given all that she had, even her whole living.
For they all have contributed out of their abundance: but she out of her penury hath given all that she had, even her whole living.
But when thou makest a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind; and thou shalt be happy;
But when thou makest a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind; and thou shalt be happy;
For some of them thought, because Judas kept the purse, that Jesus said to him, Buy what things we have need of against the feast: or that he should give something to the poor.
For some of them thought, because Judas kept the purse, that Jesus said to him, Buy what things we have need of against the feast: or that he should give something to the poor.
And they sold their possessions and goods, and distributed to all, according as any one had need.
And they sold their possessions and goods, and distributed to all, according as any one had need.
While it remained, did it not remain thy own? and when sold, was it not in thy own power? what is the meaning that thou hast taken this into thine heart? Thou hast not lyed to men, but to God.
While it remained, did it not remain thy own? and when sold, was it not in thy own power? what is the meaning that thou hast taken this into thine heart? Thou hast not lyed to men, but to God.
And there was at Joppa a certain female disciple named Tabitha, who by interpretation is called in Greek Dorcas: and she was full of good works and alms-deeds.
And there was at Joppa a certain female disciple named Tabitha, who by interpretation is called in Greek Dorcas: and she was full of good works and alms-deeds.
And there was at Joppa a certain female disciple named Tabitha, who by interpretation is called in Greek Dorcas: and she was full of good works and alms-deeds.
And there was at Joppa a certain female disciple named Tabitha, who by interpretation is called in Greek Dorcas: and she was full of good works and alms-deeds.
and one that feared God, with all his house; giving also much alms to the people, and praying to God continually.
and one that feared God, with all his house; giving also much alms to the people, and praying to God continually.
and one that feared God, with all his house; giving also much alms to the people, and praying to God continually.
and one that feared God, with all his house; giving also much alms to the people, and praying to God continually.
and he looking earnestly at him, and being afraid, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up as a memorial before God.
and he looking earnestly at him, and being afraid, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up as a memorial before God.
And each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judea.
And each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judea. Which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
Which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
I have shewed you in all things, that by labouring thus ye ought to support the infirm; and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
I have shewed you in all things, that by labouring thus ye ought to support the infirm; and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For the Macedonians and Achaians have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor saints at Jerusalem.
For the Macedonians and Achaians have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor saints at Jerusalem. It pleased them, I say, and they are indeed their debtors; for if the Gentiles have partook of their spiritual things, they ought also to be helpful to them in carnal ones.
It pleased them, I say, and they are indeed their debtors; for if the Gentiles have partook of their spiritual things, they ought also to be helpful to them in carnal ones.
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so also do ye.
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you set apart something, putting it into the treasury, according as he is prospered: that there may be no need of collections, when I come.
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you set apart something, putting it into the treasury, according as he is prospered: that there may be no need of collections, when I come. And when I am with you, whomsoever ye shall approve, I will send, with your letters, to carry your bounty to Jerusalem.
And when I am with you, whomsoever ye shall approve, I will send, with your letters, to carry your bounty to Jerusalem. And if it be requisite for me to go also, they shall go with me.
Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go first to you, and before our coming to collect your bounty beforementioned, that it may be ready, as of munificence, and not of force.
Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go first to you, and before our coming to collect your bounty beforementioned, that it may be ready, as of munificence, and not of force. But this I say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully.
But this I say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let every one give as he chuses in his own heart; not with reluctance, or constraint: for God loveth a chearful giver.
Let every one give as he chuses in his own heart; not with reluctance, or constraint: for God loveth a chearful giver.
Only desiring that we would remember the poor: which I also was forward to do.
Only desiring that we would remember the poor: which I also was forward to do.
Let him that stole steal no more; but rather let him labour, doing some good with his hands, that he may have something to bestow on him that hath need of it.
Let him that stole steal no more; but rather let him labour, doing some good with his hands, that he may have something to bestow on him that hath need of it.
having been the wife of one man: in repute for good actions, if she have educated children, if she have entertained strangers, if she have washed the feet of saints, if she have relieved the afflicted, and diligently followed every good work.
having been the wife of one man: in repute for good actions, if she have educated children, if she have entertained strangers, if she have washed the feet of saints, if she have relieved the afflicted, and 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
And therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, but especially to those who are of the houshold of 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 alms before men, to be observed by them: otherwise ye will have no reward from your Father, who is in heaven. Therefore when thou dost an alms-deed, do not proclaim it abroad, as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues, and in the streets, that they may be applauded by men. Verily I tell you, they have their reward.
Therefore when thou dost an alms-deed, do not proclaim it abroad, as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues, and in the streets, that they may be applauded by men. Verily I tell you, they have their reward. But when thou givest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth: read more. that thine alms may be in secret, and thy Father, who seeth in secret, will himself reward thee openly.
But when thou makest a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind; and thou shalt be happy;
And there was at Joppa a certain female disciple named Tabitha, who by interpretation is called in Greek Dorcas: and she was full of good works and alms-deeds.
and one that feared God, with all his house; giving also much alms to the people, and praying to God continually.
Which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
I have shewed you in all things, that by labouring thus ye ought to support the infirm; and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For the Macedonians and Achaians have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor saints at Jerusalem. read more. It pleased them, I say, and they are indeed their debtors; for if the Gentiles have partook of their spiritual things, they ought also to be helpful to them in carnal ones.
Only desiring that we would remember the poor: which I also was forward to do.