Alms
Not found in the Old Testament, but repeatedly in the New. The Mosaic legislation (
Lev. 25:35;
Deut. 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;
Prov. 14:31;
Isa. 10:2;
Amos 2:7;
Jer. 5:28; Ezek. 22:29, would also naturally foster the same benevolent spirit. In the time of our Lord begging was common (
Mark 10:46;
Acts 3:2). The Pharisees were very ostentatious in their almsgivings (
Matt. 6:2). The spirit by which the Christian ought to be actuated in this duty is set forth in
1 John 3:17. A regard to the state of the poor and needy is enjoined as a Christian duty (
Luke 3:11;
6:30;
Matt. 6:1;
Acts 9:36;
10:2,
4), a duty which was not neglected by the early Christians (
Luke 14:13;
Acts 20:35;
Gal. 2:10;
Rom. 15:25-27;
1 Cor. 16:1-4). They cared not only for the poor among themselves, but contributed also to the necessities of those at a distance (
Acts 11:29;
24:17;
2 Cor. 9:12). Our Lord and his attendants showed an example also in this (
John 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
