Alms

How Nave’s arranged it

• AskingJohn 9:8Acts 3:2
• COMMANDMENTS AND PRACTICES CONCERNINGLeviticus 25:35Deuteronomy 14:28Deuteronomy 14:29Deuteronomy 15:7–11Isaiah 58:6Isaiah 58:7Matthew 5:42Matthew 6:1–4Matthew 19:21Luke 11:41Luke 12:33Romans 12:82 Corinthians 9:5–7Galatians 2:101 Timothy 6:18Hebrews 13:161 John 3:17
• See Beneficence
• See Gifts
• See Giving
• See Liberality
• See Poor
• INSTANCES OF GIVING
• ZaccheusLuke 19:8
• DorcasActs 9:36
• CorneliusActs 10:2
• The early ChristiansActs 2:44Acts 2:45Acts 4:34–37Acts 6:1–3Acts 11:29Acts 11:30Acts 24:17Romans 15:25–281 Corinthians 16:1–42 Corinthians 8:1–42 Corinthians 9:1Hebrews 6:10

The passages, in Bible order (34)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 16 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Leviticus 25:35

   Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you.

   Verse page →Original language →

2. Deuteronomy 14:28

   At the end of every three years, bring a tenth of all your produce for that year and lay it up within your gates.

   ›Commentary on Deuteronomy 14:281 voice

   “Compare the marginal references. The tithe thus directed in the third year to be dispensed in charity at home, was not paid in addition to that in other years bestowed on the sacred meals, but was substituted for it. The three years would count from the sabbatical year (see the next chapter), in which year there would of course be neither payment of tithe nor celebration of the feasts at the sanctuary. In the third year and sixth year of the septennial cycle the feasts would be superseded by the private hospitality enjoined in these verses.

   Everything gathered on Deuteronomy 14:28→

   Verse page →Original language →

3. Deuteronomy 14:29

   Then the Levite (because he has no portion or inheritance among you), the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow within your gates may come and eat and be satisfied. And the LORD your God will bless you in all the work of your hands.

   Verse page →Original language →

4. Deuteronomy 15:7–11

   If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother.

   Verse page →Original language →

5. Isaiah 58:6

   Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke?

   ›Commentary on Isaiah 58:61 voice

   “(Verses 6, 7.) Isn't this the fast that I have chosen? To loosen the chains of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Isn't it to share your bread with the hungry, and to bring the poor who are cast out into your house? When you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Isn't it to deal your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor who are cast out to your house?

   Everything gathered on Isaiah 58:6→

   Verse page →Original language →

6. Isaiah 58:7

   Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

   ›Commentary on Isaiah 58:72 voices

   “Or indeed, this must be said, because it is about fasting, and fasting has affliction and humiliation of the soul: but the affliction of sinners' bodies begs for indulgence. Divine Scripture teaches us to forgive our debtors, so that the Heavenly Father may also forgive us our debts (Mark 11). The ancient history tells that in the year of the Jubilee, which is the true Jubilee, all possessions return to their owners and slaves regain their freedom, and all obligations, commonly known as cautions, become void (Leviticus 25 and 27).

   “(Verses 6, 7.) Isn't this the fast that I have chosen? To loosen the chains of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Isn't it to share your bread with the hungry, and to bring the poor who are cast out into your house? When you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Isn't it to deal your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor who are cast out to your house?

   Everything gathered on Isaiah 58:7→

   Verse page →Original language →

7. Matthew 5:42

   Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

   ›Commentary on Matthew 5:422 voices

   “(Verse 42, 43.) Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said: Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. If we understand this saying to mean only about almsgiving, it cannot apply to most of the poor. But even if the rich give constantly, they cannot give constantly. Therefore, after the good of almsgiving, instructions are given to the apostles, that is, to the teachers, so that those who have received for free may give for free (Matthew 10).

   “Give to him that asketh thee,.... To every man, Luk 6:30 whether Jew or Gentile; friend or foe; believer or unbeliever; a good, or a bad man; worthy or unworthy; deserving or not, that asketh alms, whether food or money; give it freely, readily, cheerfully, according to your abilities, and as the necessity of the object requires: for such rules are always supposed, and to be observed; and though all are to be relieved, yet the circumstances of persons, and their relation to men, are to be considered, and special regard is to be had to the household of faith.

   Everything gathered on Matthew 5:42→

   Verse page →Original language →

8. Matthew 6:1–4

   “Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

   Verse page →Original language →

9. Matthew 19:21

   Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

   ›Commentary on Matthew 19:211 voice

   “(Verse 21.) If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. It is in our power to choose to be perfect. However, whoever wishes to be perfect must sell what they have: and not sell only a portion, as Ananias and Sapphira did (Act. V); but sell everything: and when they have sold, give everything to the poor, and thus prepare for themselves treasure in the kingdom of heaven.

   Everything gathered on Matthew 19:21→

   Verse page →Original language →

10. Luke 11:41

    But give as alms the things that are within you, and you will see that everything is clean for you.

    ›Commentary on Luke 11:412 voices

    “Do you see what great remedies there are? Mercy cleanses us, the Word of God cleanses us, as it is written: Now you are clean by reason of the word, which I have spoken to you. Not only in this place, but also in others, you understand how great the grace is expressed: For almsgiving delivers from death: and, Shut up alms in the heart of the poor, and it shall obtain help for thee against all evil.

    “You see that our bodies, which are earthly and fragile, are marked by their outward appearance and easily broken by a brief fall. And easily the thoughts and actions of the mind are revealed through the senses and the movements of the body, just as the contents of a cup shine outwardly. Hence, in the latter, there is no doubt that the passion of the body is indicated by the word "cup," when the Lord says: The cup which the Father has given me, do you not want me to drink it?

    Everything gathered on Luke 11:41→

    Verse page →Original language →

11. Luke 12:33

    Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.

    ›Commentary on Luke 12:332 voices

    “(reg. brev. ad int. 92.) But some one will ask, upon what grounds ought we to sell that which we have? Is it that these things are by nature hurtful, or because of the temptation to our souls? To this we must answer, first, that every thing existing in the world if it were in itself evil, would be no creation of God, for every creation of God is good. (1 Tim. 4:4.) And next, that our Lord's command teaches us not to cast away as evil what we possess, but to distribute, saying, and give alms.

    “But why they ought not to fear, He shows, adding, for it is your Father's good pleasure; as if He says, How shall He who gives such precious things be wearied in showing mercy towards you? For although His flock is little both in nature and number and renown, yet the goodness of the Father has granted even to this little flock the lot of heavenly spirits, that is, the kingdom of heaven. Therefore that you may possess the kingdom of heaven, despise this world's wealth. Hence it is added, Sell that ye have, &c.

    Everything gathered on Luke 12:33→

    Verse page →Original language →

12. Luke 19:8

    But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”

    ›Commentary on Luke 19:81 voice

    “And Zacchaeus stood,.... Before Christ, in respect to him, and reverence of him; and in the presence of others, to make a public confession before them, and that they might all hear it, when come to his own house: and said unto the Lord; that is, to "Jesus", as the Syriac and Persic versions, and some copies read; he addressed himself to Christ, and made his confession to him, as the Israelite, when he brought the basket of the firstfruits to the priest, confessed before the Lord his God, Deu 26:

    Everything gathered on Luke 19:8→

    Verse page →Original language →

13. John 9:8

    At this, his neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging began to ask, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?”

    Verse page →Original language →

14. Acts 2:44

    All the believers were together and had everything in common.

    Verse page →Original language →

15. Acts 2:45

    Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.

    ›Commentary on Acts 2:451 voice

    “And the words "according to each one's need" he uses not simply, but in the sense of "stewardship," because this expression shows that the apostles did not act as the philosophers among the Greeks, of whom some abandoned their fields, and others threw much gold …

    Everything gathered on Acts 2:45→

    Verse page →Original language →

16. Acts 3:2

    And a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those entering the temple courts.

    ›Commentary on Acts 3:21 voice

    “How does he not say the name of the lame man? because even the apostles did not know him. For the man was entirely unknown to them. And this was so that they might not appear to be showing special favor, and making cures by …

    Everything gathered on Acts 3:2→

    Verse page →Original language →