Charitable Acts

In Matt. 6:1-4, we read Jesus’ words about alms. We have discussed this topic before in Guidance for the End Times Part 11. In this installment of What You Should Be Doing and Why, we will discuss many of previously cited verses in more detail in an attempt to encourage any reader to take action.

WHEN!

The key word in Matt. 6:1-4 is the word WHEN. This word signifies that the giving of alms is not optional. It is not an issue of IF but WHEN! Are you a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, you should be giving alms as the Lord Jesus Christ commanded His disciples. But what are alms?

The word alms means compassionateness; i.e. (as exercised towards the poor) beneficence, or (concretely) a benefaction. This definition can be found in the Strong’s Concordance. The act of giving alms is about showing compassion to those who are poor or are in need. Please recognize that alms are not exclusively about money. The idea of alms originates in the law given to Moses by God. Because Jesus lived by the law of God, we should be willing to examine what has been recorded and implement the principles in our lives.

Alms in the Law

Let’s start our investigation in Ex. 23:10-11. This law was given to Moses not long after the Israelites heard the voice of God speaking the ten commandments. God was preparing them to inherit the promised land. God told them that every seven years they can sow their fields for six years. In the seventh year, the land is to be left alone and whatever grows must be made available to the poor. This applied to fields, vineyards, and olive orchards. The principle of this law applies to other types of fruit orchards as well.

The law mentioned above is supported by Lev. 19:9-10. In these verses, God shows that sustenance is to be left for the poor and the stranger at the end of each harvest, not just the seventh year. The corners of fields and produce dropped (gleanings) are to be left to those in need. Also see Lev. 23:22. This very law was kept by Boaz the ancestor of king David and Jesus Christ (Ruth 2; Ruth 4:13-17).

In Lev. 25:35-37, God gives the command to support individuals who have fallen into poverty. God was not only concerned with people who are born poor. This command also shows that we are not allowed to profit from loaning to the poor. Please note that victuals are food. Neither money or food can be lent for profit.

One of the most fascinating examples of alms can be found in Deut. 15:1-15. These verses actually cover three different ways of showing compassion towards those who do not have. Deut. 15:4-6 shows that God intended that at some point in Israel’s existence it would be as if there were no poor in the land. The implication is this would happen due to God’s blessing as a result of the Israelites being charitable as He commanded.

God prescribed the only real and lasting solution to poverty by saying, “Thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother.” (verse 7) It is the hardened heart that is incapable of showing compassion to others. If this display of compassion towards a neighbor comes in the form of a loan, the debt must be forgiven in the year of the Lord’s release which is a further act of compassion.

Please compare verse 4 and verse 11. God says that Israel could stop loaning to the poor and forgiving debts when there was no more poor in the land. Then He turns around and says the poor will never cease out of the land. The implication is God would rather there be no poor in the land, but human actions will inevitably lead to poverty. Nevertheless, He commands that people show compassion to others. Since the poor will never cease out of the land, there should be no end to charitable acts of those who have been blessed by God.

The compassion of the Lord God is further displayed through verses 12-15. There are multiple legitimate ways a person could become a slave. Generally, these ways had to do with poverty and/or committing theft while in poverty. A person could be sold for stealing if they could not pay the penalty (Ex. 22:1-4). A person also has the right to sell his/herself. Regardless of the origin of the servitude, fellow countrymen were to be released after serving six years even if their debt was greater than the service. Verses 13-14 is different from any slavery we can read about in secular history. The master was required to show compassion towards a newly freed slave. Slaves were not to be sent out empty and destitute. The slave was to be liberally furnished from the stock of the master. This would create an opportunity for the former slave to prosper after receiving liberty.

If our modern societies acted on these principles, our world would be radically better!

Alms in the New Testament

This compassion commanded in the Old Testament is exemplified by those living in the first generation of the church in the first century. In Matt. 14:13-21, we read that Jesus Christ was moved with compassion for the multitude. Through a miracle, Jesus blessed this crowd of over 5000 people. Remember, this group did not have any food of there own. Jesus fed them from the food the disciples had. In the very next chapter, we read of Jesus showing compassion on another large crowd. See Matt. 15:29-38. Try to meditate on what Jesus said concerning the matter in verse 32. The crowd had been with Him for three days. They either ran out of food or did not come with any. Either way, Jesus Christ refused to send them away fasting. Only after He fed over 4000 people, did He send them away (verses 38-39).

Sidenote: Although the two cited examples were done through a miracle, there is a very important principle that is made manifest through careful contemplation. Many misinterpret Mal. 3:7-12 because they do not understand the purpose of tithes. As explained previously, tithes were to be shared with the poor, widow, stranger, and the Levite. The tithes were used to show compassion towards those with less than you have. God explained that if people would do as He commanded, then He would bless them further.

When Jesus showed compassion towards the multitude, it resulted in having more food than they had at the start. In Malachi, God challenges His people to prove this by being obedient and they will see the results. Become more charitable and watch the results!

It is important to reiterate that alms are not exclusively money or food. Giving alms is showing compassion on others. Read Matt. 20:29-34; Mark 1:40-42; Luke 7:11-15 as a few examples of Jesus showing compassion through healing. This is the example Jesus left for us.

One of the most famous examples of giving alms is found in Acts 3:1-9. Peter and John did not have silver and gold to give this lame man. Nevertheless, Peter declared that he would give what he did have to the lame man. Peter, through the power of the Holy Spirit, gave this man the ability to walk. He had compassion on this man who was lame from birth (Acts 3:2). Many do not see this as an alm because they do not understand the meaning of alms. A miracle can be a manifestation of compassion.

There are many other examples of the giving of alms in the New Testament. Read the following examples for further affirmation: Acts 9:36; Acts 10:1-4; and Acts 24:10-17. Please keep in mind that these are not the only examples. They are some of the clearest examples because they use the word alms. Compassion comes in many forms and we have to be astute enough to see where it is recorded for us.

Jesus’ Words Explains the Reason

Jesus never gave a command without further explaining why it is important. Additionally, Jesus never gave an unimportant command we can choose to ignore. Settle it in your heart to do what Jesus commanded us to do and to search out the reason why He wants you to do it.

Read Luke 11:37-44 carefully. Note verse 41. The context of this conversation is washing before eating (verse 38). Jesus pointed this Pharisee to the issue of being clean on the inside. The Pharisees were consumed with what the outside of things looked like, including themselves. These men tithed but they overlooked justice (judgment) and the love of God. Jesus told them they should be concerned about their insides rather than be concerned about what they looked like on the outside. In conjunction with this statement, Jesus tells them “rather give alms of such things as ye have.” Jesus was challenging them to be different inside. Jesus was showing them how to be truly clean. We must learn to care more about others and show them compassion. What you look like on the outside is less important than who you are.

Read verse 39. The Pharisees were full of ravening and wickedness. Ravening means pillage and wickedness means depravity. The companion verses of this teaching is found in Matt. 23:25-26. Are you full of extortion and excess? Are you obsessed with consuming and gaining more material wealth? Jesus challenged these men not to merely give enough to look good on the outside. Jesus said clean out the inside, stop pillaging and give alms of such things that you have!

Jesus wants us to be charitable. He wants us to operate in justice and the love of God (Matt. 23:23). Jesus wants us to give in love because it will help us develop better character (Matt. 5:43-48). God gives to the just and the unjust, the evil and the good. Note that the cited verses come just before Jesus talks about giving alms. Please reread Matt. 6:1-4. Giving to others is about developing character like God. It is not a show.

Again, the reason for giving alms becomes plain as we deeply study the teachings of Jesus. Please read Luke 12:32-34 carefully. Did you know that it is God the Father’s pleasure to give His children the kingdom? God has promised His children eternal life and rulership in the world in the world to come! It is His pleasure to do so. Nevertheless, we cannot inherit the kingdom of God if we do not strive to meet His standards for His children. This standard is not limited to accepting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Father requires full obedience and conformity to His character.

God’s character is not obsessed with material wealth of this world. Jesus tells the flock of God to sell what they have and give alms (verse 33). Why? “For where you treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (verse 34) Another purpose for giving alms is to learn to devalue physical possessions. God doesn’t want us to value anything more than His gifts and promises.

If you value your possessions more than charity, you are not storing up treasure in heaven. Think about Cornelius whose prayers and alms came up for a memorial before God. Cornelius gave of his abundance and had treasure storing up in heaven. He valued God’s way of love, justice, and mercy more than amassing wealth.

The Kingdom of God is more valuable than anything you can own in this world (Matt. 13:44-46). We must analyze ourselves deeply to see if we have the attitude of the men in these parables. We have to learn to avoid the attitude of the rich young man who wanted to inherit eternal life (Mark 10:17-22). Also read the warning Jesus gave His disciples immediately after this encounter (Mark 10:23-25).

God wants us to give in love like He does. He doesn’t want us to put our trust in riches. God wants us to put our trust in Him (Mark 10:27). If we learn not to trust in wealth, then we will have no difficulty being compassionate towards those who have less. In giving, we learn to be more like our loving charitable Father.

God is not asking us to do what He does not! Remember, He is giving us eternal life, thrones, the kingdom, and judgment (Rev. 20:1-4, 6). He gave Jesus Christ for a sacrifice so that we do not have to die the second death (John 3:16). God has set the standard for what compassion towards others looks like. We cannot out give God, but we can strive to live up to His standard.

Learn to give like God the Father and Jesus Christ. It is essential for your spiritual growth and development as one of His children.