the Third Week of Advent
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!
Bible Dictionaries
Alms
Smith's Bible Dictionary
or Alms. The duty of alms-giving, especially in kind, consisting chiefly in portions to be left designedly from produce of the field, the vineyard and the oliveyard, Leviticus 19:9-10; Leviticus 23:22; Leviticus 15:11; Leviticus 24:19; Leviticus 26:2-13; Ruth 2:2, is strictly enjoined by the law. Every third year also, Deuteronomy 14:28 each proprietor was directed to share the tithe of his produce with "the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless and the widow." The theological estimate of alms-giving among the Jews is indicated in the following passages:
1. Job 31:17; Proverbs 10:2; Proverbs 11:4; Esther 9:22; Psalms 112:9; Acts 9:36: the case of Dorcas;
2. Acts 10:2 of Cornelius; to which may be added Tobit 4:10-11; Tobit 14:10-11, and Sirach 3:30; Sirach 40:24.
The Pharisees were zealous in almsgiving, but too ostentatious their mode of performance, for which our Lord finds fault with them. Matthew 6:2. The duty of relieving the poor was not neglected by the Christians. Matthew 6:1-4; Luke 14:13; Acts 20:35; Galatians 2:10. Regular proportionate giving was expected. Acts 11:30; Romans 15:25-27; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4.
These files are public domain.
Smith, William, Dr. Entry for 'Alms'. Smith's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/sbd/a/alms.html. 1901.
