Alms are charitable donations or gifts given to the poor and needy. The practice of giving alms is encouraged throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about alms:
Old Testament Teachings on Alms
The Old Testament law commanded the Israelites to be generous towards the poor and needy in their midst. God instructed them not to harden their hearts or close their hands against their poor brothers, but to open their hands to the needy and lend generously (Deuteronomy 15:7-8). Gleaning laws allowed the poor to gather leftover grain from the edges of fields (Leviticus 19:9-10). The third year tithe was stored up within their towns to feed the Levites, foreigners, orphans and widows (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).
Proverbs encourages generosity to the poor as an act of righteousness that will be repaid and blessed by God (Proverbs 19:17, 22:9). The Psalms describe how righteousness involves considering the poor and needy (Psalm 41:1-2, 112:4-9). God promises to rescue the poor when they cry out to him (Psalm 72:12-14).
The prophets frequently rebuked Israel for oppressing the poor and needy, and not providing for them. They called the nation to “loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke”, to share bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into their houses (Isaiah 58:6-7). The prophets said true fasting involves sharing food with the hungry and sheltering the oppressed (Isaiah 58:7). God said he desires “steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6). Justice and righteousness involve defending the cause of the poor and needy (Jeremiah 22:16).
New Testament Teachings on Alms
In the New Testament, giving generously to the poor continued to be an important way for believers to show love for others. Jesus endorsed almsgiving but warned his followers not to do it hypocritically just for show (Matthew 6:1-4). He said alms should be given secretly, “and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Jesus commended the poor widow who gave two small copper coins to the temple treasury, saying her small gift out of poverty put the gifts of the rich to shame (Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4).
Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell his possessions and give the money to the poor, promising him treasure in heaven for doing so (Matthew 19:16-22). He said those who feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome strangers, and visit prisoners are ministering to Christ himself and will inherit eternal life (Matthew 25:31-46). The early church took care of each other’s needs and gave generously to help the poor among them (Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-37).
The apostle Paul organized a collection from the Gentile churches to bring relief to needy believers in Jerusalem (Romans 15:25-28, 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, 2 Corinthians 8-9). James rebukes those who merely wish the poor well without providing for their needs (James 2:14-17). John urges believers who have material resources not to close their hearts against those in need (1 John 3:17-18). The generosity of churches in Macedonia despite their own poverty served as an example to others of sacrificial giving (2 Corinthians 8:1-4).
Throughout Scripture, giving to the poor is consistently portrayed as an act of mercy, justice and righteousness. Almsgiving is a practical way for believers to show the love of Christ through generous, compassionate giving. As Jesus said, “when you give to the needy, do not 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” (Matthew 6:3-4).
Types of Alms Recommended in the Bible
The Bible does not prescribe any fixed percentage or amount for almsgiving. But it offers several guidelines on different ways believers can give alms or care for the poor:
– Giving food, clothing and shelter to the needy (Isaiah 58:7, Ezekiel 18:7, Matthew 25:35-36)
– Inviting the poor and outcasts into your home for meals (Luke 14:12-14)
– Leaving the edges of your fields unharvested for the poor to glean (Leviticus 19:9-10, Ruth 2)
– Donating crops/produce to feed the hungry (Leviticus 19:10, Proverbs 25:21)
– Giving the poor access to drinkable water (Matthew 10:42)
– Providing money to meet urgent needs (Matthew 5:42, Luke 3:11, 1 John 3:17-18)
– Supporting poor relatives in need (1 Timothy 5:3-4, 16)
– Supporting widows, orphans, strangers and Levites in need (Deuteronomy 14:29, 16:11, 24:19-21)
– Lending generously and charging no interest to the poor (Exodus 22:25-27, Leviticus 25:35-37, Deuteronomy 23:19-20)
– Paying wages promptly and fairly to hired servants and laborers (Deuteronomy 24:14-15, Malachi 3:5, James 5:4)
– Forgiving debts and releasing those in bondage (Deuteronomy 15:1-3, Nehemiah 10:31)
– Leaving grain in fields for the poor to glean (Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 24:19-21)
– Giving to the church to support ministry to the poor (Romans 15:26, 2 Corinthians 8-9)
– Using wealth/assets to generously bless others (Deuteronomy 16:17, 1 Timothy 6:17-19)
So the Bible promotes open-handed generosity towards the poor and needy in society through a variety of practical methods. Almsgiving is presented as an act of justice, righteousness and obedience to God, not an optional extra.
Heart Attitudes When Giving Alms
More important than the outward act of almsgiving is the attitude of the heart. Scripture warns against giving to the poor proudly or hypocritically, simply to gain man’s praise:
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not 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.” (Matthew 6:1-4)
Rather, believers are to give cheerfully, motivated by sincere love and compassion:
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
“If anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:17-18)
The poor widow who gave her two small coins was praised for giving sacrificially out of her poverty (Luke 21:1-4). While the rich gave large amounts out of their wealth, her small gift cost her much more. God looks at the heart and motivations behind giving.
Blessings for Giving Alms Generously
Scripture contains many promises of blessing and reward for those who generously care for the poor. Jesus assures that alms given secretly will be rewarded openly by our Father in heaven (Matthew 6:4). Those who sow generously will reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6). God promises to repay and bless those who lend generously to the needy (Proverbs 19:17).
The Psalms proclaim how God upholds the cause of the needy and will sustain the fatherless and widow (Psalm 146:5-9). But he will also deal severely with those who oppress the poor and needy (Psalm 10:17-18, Proverbs 22:22-23). Generous giving results in treasure laid up in heaven and eternal riches (Matthew 19:21, 1 Timothy 6:18-19). It gains an eternal reward that will outweigh any earthly wealth sacrificed (Luke 12:33, 1 Timothy 6:17-19).
Almsgiving even plays a part in finding atonement and having sins forgiven, according to Scripture. For example, the book of Daniel says:
“Redeem your sins by your righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor.” (Daniel 4:27)
“Giving alms makes atonement for sins” (Sirach 3:30)
“Water extinguishes a blazing fire: so almsgiving atones for sin.” (Sirach 3:30)
“Store up almsgiving in your treasury, and it will rescue you from every disaster.” (Sirach 29:12)
Of course, only Christ’s atoning sacrifice can fully pay for sin and bring redemption (Hebrews 10:1-18). But almsgiving demonstrates a repentant, merciful heart of faith. It is part of living out genuine faith through obedience to Christ.
The Early Church’s Teaching on Alms
The early church fathers continued the strong biblical emphasis on almsgiving. The Didache, one of the earliest Christian writings outside the New Testament, says:
“Share everything with your brother, and do not say it is your own. For if you are sharers in the imperishable, how much more in perishable things?” (Didache 4.8)
The Didache also prescribes: “You shall not hesitate to give, nor murmur when giving, for you shall know who is the good paymaster of your reward.” (Didache 4.7)
Other early church fathers, like Cyprian, John Chrysostom and Augustine, all preached extensively on the importance of almsgiving for believers. They viewed almsgiving as an essential part of true Christian discipleship and evidence of saving faith. The Christian commitment and practice of charity towards the poor proved remarkably different to the more selfish mindsets of pagans. For early Christians, almsgiving was a fundamental expression of godly love and their new life in Christ.
Conclusion
The biblical teaching on alms underlines God’s compassionate heart for the poor and needy. Throughout Scripture, God commands his people to show practical generosity and live justly by providing for the vulnerable. Almsgiving is presented as a vital way for believers to love others tangibly as an expression of faith and obedience. When carried out with the right attitude, Scripture repeatedly promises alms are a delight to God and will bring eternal blessings.