Topical Bible: Money was Given: As Alms

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In the biblical context, the giving of money as alms is a significant act of charity and righteousness, deeply rooted in the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments. Almsgiving is portrayed as a tangible expression of love, compassion, and obedience to God's commandments, reflecting the heart of the giver and the needs of the recipient.

Old Testament Foundations

The concept of almsgiving is embedded in the Mosaic Law, where the Israelites were instructed to care for the poor and needy among them. Deuteronomy 15:7-8 states, "If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs." This directive underscores the importance of generosity and the moral obligation to support those in need.

The Book of Proverbs also highlights the virtue of giving to the poor, associating it with divine favor. Proverbs 19:17 declares, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." This verse suggests that almsgiving is not only a duty but also an investment in one's spiritual relationship with God.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ emphasizes the importance of almsgiving as part of a righteous life. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs His followers on the proper attitude towards giving: "So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:2-4). Here, the focus is on the sincerity and humility of the giver, rather than public recognition.

The early Christian community exemplified the practice of almsgiving. In Acts 2:44-45 , it is recorded, "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This communal sharing reflects the spirit of generosity and mutual support that characterized the early Church.

Apostolic Encouragement

The Apostle Paul also addresses the importance of supporting the needy. In his letters, he encourages believers to be generous and willing to share. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 , Paul writes, "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver." This teaching highlights the voluntary nature of almsgiving and the joy that accompanies a willing heart.

Furthermore, Paul commends the Macedonian churches for their generosity despite their own poverty, stating, "For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord, they pleaded earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints" (2 Corinthians 8:3-4). This example serves as an inspiration for believers to give sacrificially and with a willing spirit.

Conclusion

The giving of money as alms is a profound expression of faith and obedience in the biblical narrative. It is an act that transcends mere charity, embodying the principles of love, humility, and stewardship that are central to the Christian life. Through almsgiving, believers participate in God's work of justice and mercy, reflecting His character to the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 2:36
And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in your house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray you, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 3:3,6
Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. vii. 7, "Ask, and it Shall be ...
... An exhortation to alms-deeds. ... "For he hath dispersed abroad, hath distributed, hath
given to the poor ... Thy money is diminished, thy righteousness increased. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xi on the words.htm

Whether it is Lawful to Give and Receive Money for Spiritual ...
... price." In like manner temporal things are given to those ... the same purpose is fulfilled
when alms are received ... a funeral unless a certain sum of money were paid ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 23.htm

Treatise viii. On Works and Alms.
... for righteousness, certainly he who gives alms according to ... whom heavenly and divine
things are given, whence this ... the captive and slave of your money; you are ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise viii on works and.htm

Whether one May Give Alms Out of Ill-Gotten Goods?
... 2: We have already explained how alms may be given out of ... It is also lawful to give
alms out of the profits ... when a man, with the desire of making money out of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether one may give alms.htm

Trumpets and Street Corners
... To a very large extent, the money getting and giving arrangements of the modern
Church ... Such alms, given wholly out of pity and desire to be like the all-giving ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/trumpets and street corners.htm

Epistle Cvi. To Syagrius, ??therius, virgilius, and Desiderius ...
... The alms that please the eyes of our Redeemer are not those that are ... though monasteries
or hospitals or aught else be built with the money given for sacred ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle cvi to syagrius aetherius.htm

Whether it is Lawful for Religious to Live on Alms?
... becomes the property of the person to whom it is given. ... to say that a person may
accept an alms of some ... property but not bread or some small sum of money. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 15.htm

Due Measure must be Observed in Liberality, that it May not be ...
... However, alms are not to be given in too ... them they seek a ground to urge their demands,
and with lies about their lives they ask for further sums of money. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xvi due measure must.htm

Rom. xv. 25-27
... this, as when he says, "As I have given order to ... A certain contribution." And, he
does not say alms, but "contribution ... For he bade money to be held to belong to ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxx rom xv 25-27.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. vi. 19, "Lay not up for ...
... An exhortation to alms-deeds ... treasures, gains flow into thee from every quarter,
and thy money runs like ... He who has given thee such counsel doth not deceive thee ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon x on the words.htm