Reference: Alms, Almsgiving
Hastings
An alms' (Ac 3:3) is something freely given, in money or in kind, to the needy, from motives of love and pity for the recipient, and of gratitude to the Giver of all. Hence what is given or paid to the poor under the authority and compulsion of law, as the modern poor rate, is not alms. For such legal provision in OT times see Poor. Much might be of the humane spirit which pervades the whole of the Hebrew legislation, and in particular the legislation of Dt, of which, in this respect, De 15:1 may be taken as the epitome: 'Thou shalt surely open thine hand unto thy brother, to thy needy and to thy poor' (RV). The writings of the prophets, also, are full of generous advocacy of the rights of the poor. In the later pre-Christian centuries almsgiving became one of the most prominent of religious duties (Ps 112:9; Pr 14:21; 19:17; 31:20; Job 29:12 f.). The sentiment of the 2nd cent. b.c.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
"At the end of [every] seven years you must cancel debts.
For I rescued the poor man who cried out for help, and the fatherless child who had no one to support him.
He distributes freely to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted in honor.
The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord, and He will give a reward to the lender.
Her hands reach out to the poor, and she extends her hands to the needy.
Therefore, may my advice seem good to you my king. Separate yourself from your sins by doing what is right, and from your injustices by showing mercy to the needy. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity."
"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give to the poor, don't sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. I assure you: They've got their reward! read more. But when you give to the poor, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
And whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of My name, since you belong to the Messiah-I assure you: He will never lose his reward.
When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple complex, he asked for help.
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common.
For there was not a needy person among them, because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
In those days, as the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.
In every way I've shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
Now about the collection for the saints: you should do the same as I instructed the Galatian churches.
Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you.