Meaning of ALMS

This term is not found in our versions of the OT (instead, it is frequent in the apocryphal books), but the act of benevolence expressed with it had a great place in Israel.

Jb. 29:12-13 shows us that the act of giving alms was known since ancient times. The law of Moses stated formally: “For there was no lack of needy people in the midst of the land; Therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall open your hand to your brother, to the poor and needy in your land' (Deut. 15:11).

The poor had to be left to glean after the harvest and the gathering of the fruits (Lev. 23:22; Deut. 24:19-21). Every three years a tithe was given to them (Deut. 14:28, 29), as well as the produce of the land during the seventh year, or sabbatical year (Ex. 23:11).

At the annual festival banquets, the poor, the stranger, the orphan, the widow, and the Levite had to be invited (Deut. 16:11-14). These acts of practical love were part of the “righteousness” of the true Israelite (Deut. 24:13; Prov. 10:2).

It is very natural that the distribution of alms came to be regarded as a virtue, and its absence as a grave sin (Ez. 18:7; Pr. 19:17; Is. 58:6-7).

However, when Israel's failure to observe the law and national misfortunes produced more widespread poverty, the collection of regular food and meal offerings was ordered.

In the NT, Jesus recommends giving alms with discretion, and not "to be praised by men" (Mt. 6:2-4).

The attitude of the giver is more important than the material value of the gift (Mark 12:41-44). The true Christian cannot refuse to help the needy (Lk. 3:10, 11; 6:30; 12:33; 14:13-14; 18:22; Mt. 25:35-46).

The early Christians carried out distributions among the destitute among them (Acts 2:45; 4:34-35; 6:1) to such an extent that deacons had to be appointed to supervise this activity (Acts 6: 2-3).

Tabitha did many good works and alms (Acts 9:36), as did Cornelius (Acts 10:2, 4). As for the apostles, they did not stop practicing and recommending the action of sharing what is one's own (cf. Acts 11:29; 20:34-35; Rom. 12:8, 13; 15:26-27; 1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 8:1-4, 13; 9:6-15; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 6:18; Heb. 13:16).

However, the Scriptures do not encourage the indolence or poverty that it causes (2 Thes. 3:10-12), but it expresses in an admirable way the chapter that should inspire our actions with respect to the "economically weak" (1 John . 3:16-17).