Alms(benevolence, charity, collection)
“Mercifulness, an act of compassion or charity”
Summary
Charitable gifts given to relieve the poor, a practice deeply rooted in Mosaic law and elevated by Jewish tradition, but reformed by Jesus who emphasized inward motivation over outward display.
☩Old Testament Foundation
The Mosaic law made generous provision for the poor, commanding Israelites to leave gleanings in field, vineyard, and olive grove for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. Every third year, tithes were distributed to the Levite, stranger, fatherless, and widow. The law in Leviticus declared, 'If thy brother be waxen poor... thou shalt relieve him,' and Deuteronomy commanded, 'Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy poor.' The Hebrew word for righteousness (tsedakah) came to be used for alms, indicating that giving to the poor was considered an act of righteousness.
☩Development in Judaism
During the intertestamental period, almsgiving became highly developed and was regarded as supremely meritorious. The apocryphal book of Tobit declared, 'Alms delivers from death and will purge away all sin.' The Talmud stated that almsgiving was 'more excellent than all offerings' and 'equal to the whole law.' Systematic collections were organized in synagogues, with almoners collecting both money in a box (kuppah) for weekly distribution and food in a dish (tamhui) for daily distribution. This elevation of external acts became divorced from true heart devotion.
☩Teaching of Jesus
Jesus assumed almsgiving as a duty of the religious life but reformed its practice. He forbade ostentatious display, warning against sounding a trumpet before oneself as the hypocrites did in synagogues and streets to receive glory from men. Instead, believers should give so secretly that the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing, trusting the Father who sees in secret to reward openly. Jesus taught that almsgiving purifies possessions for legitimate use and that selling goods to give to the poor lays up treasure in heaven.
☩New Testament Practice
The early Church maintained the obligation of caring for the poor as central to Christian life. The Jerusalem believers shared possessions so that none lacked, and the first church officers (the Seven) were appointed to oversee charitable distribution. Paul devoted considerable effort to collecting aid for poor believers in Jerusalem and instructed churches to set aside proportionate gifts on the first day of each week. Such deeds of charity are described as sacrifices well-pleasing to God, and John declared that anyone who sees a brother in need yet shuts up his compassion cannot have God's love abiding in him.
Related Verses66 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Alms," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Alms; Almsgiving," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Alms," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Almsgiving," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 5.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "Alms," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. I (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
- 6.James Hastings (ed.), "Alms," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 7.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Alms," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 8.George Morrish, "Alms," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).