the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
Click here to join the effort!
Bible Dictionaries
Alms
Charles Buck Theological Dictionary
or What is given gratuitously for the relief of the poor, and in repairing the churches. That alms-giving is a duty is every way evident from the variety of passages which enjoin it in the sacred scriptures.
It is observable, however, what a number of excuses are made by those who are not found in the exercise of the duty:
1. That they have nothing to spare;
2. That charity begins at home;
3. That charity does not consist in giving money, but in benevolence, love to all mankind, &c.
4. That giving to the poor is not mentioned in St. Paul's description of charity, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 :
5. That they pay the poor rates;
6. That they employ many poor persons;
7. That the poor do not suffer so much as we imagine;
8. That these people, give them what you will, will never by thankful;
9. That we are liable to be imposed upon;
10. That they should apply to their parishes;
11. That giving money encourages idleness;
12. That we have too many objects of charity at home, O the love of money how fruitful is it in apologies for a contracted mercenary spirit!
In giving of alms, however, the following rules should be observed:
1. first, They should be given with justice; only our own, to which we have a just right, should be given.
2. With cheerfulness, Deuteronomy 15:10 . 2 Corinthians 9:7 .
3. With simplicity and sincerity, Romans 12:1-21 : Matthew 6:3 .
4. With compassion and affection, Isaiah 58:10 . 1 John 3:17 .
5. Seasonably, Galatians 6:10 . Proverbs 4:27 .
6. Bountifully, Deuteronomy 18:1-22; Deuteronomy 19:1-21; Deuteronomy 20:1-20; Deuteronomy 21:1-23; Deuteronomy 22:1-11 . 1 Timothy 6:18 .
7. Prudently, according to every one's need, 1 Timothy 5:8 . Acts 4:35 .
See Dr. Barrow's admirable Sermon on Bounty to the Poor, which took him up to three hours and a half in preaching; Saurin's Ser. vol. 4: Eng. Trans. ser. 9. Paley's Mor. Phil. ch. 5. vol. 1:
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Buck, Charles. Entry for 'Alms'. Charles Buck Theological Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/cbd/a/alms.html. 1802.
