Alms @ Not found in the Old Testament, but repeatedly in the New. The Mosaic legislation Leviticus:25:35; Deuteronomy:15:7) tended to promote a spirit of charity, and to prevent the occurrence of destitution among the people. Such passages as these, Psalms:41:1Psalms:112:9; Proverbs:14:31; Isaiah:10:2; Amos:2:7; Jeremiah:5:28; Ezekiel:22:29, would also naturally foster the same benevolent spirit. In the time of our Lord begging was common Mark:10:46; Acts:3:2). The Pharisees were very ostentatious in their almsgivings Matthew:6:2). The spirit by which the Christian ought to be actuated in this duty is set forth in 1John:3:17. A regard to the state of the poor and needy is enjoined as a Christian duty Luke:3:11Luke:6:30; Matthew:6:1; Acts:9:36Acts:10:2-4), a duty which was not neglected by the early Christians Luke:14:13; Acts:20:35; Galatians:2:10; Romans:15:25-27; 1Corinthians:16:1-4). They cared not only for the poor among themselves, but contributed also to the necessities of those at a distance Acts:11:29Acts:24:17; 2Corinthians:9:12). Our Lord and his attendants showed an example also in this John:13:29). In modern times the "poor-laws" have introduced an element which modifies considerably the form in which we may discharge this Christian duty.
