Category:Alms

Alms, n. sing. & pl. Etym: [OE. almes, almesse, AS. ælmysse, fr. L. eleemosyna, Gr. Almonry, Eleemosynary.]

Defn: Anything given gratuitously to relieve the poor, as money, food, or clothing; a gift of charity. A devout man. . . which gave much alms to the people. Acts 10:2. Alms are but the vehicles of prayer. Dryden. Tenure by free alms. See Frankalmoign. Blackstone.

Note: This word alms is singular in its form (almesse), and is sometimes so used; as, "asked an alms." Acts 3:1. 3."Received an alms." Shak. It is now, however, commonly a collective or plural noun. It is much used in composition, as almsgiver, almsgiving, alms bag, alms chest, etc.

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---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary.

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, Psalm 41:1; Psalm 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 1 John 3:17. A regard to the state of the poor and needy is enjoined as a Christian duty (Luke 3:11; Luke 6:30; Matthew 6:1; Acts 9:36; Acts 10:2, Acts 10:4), a duty which was not neglected by the early Christians (Luke 14:13; Acts 20:35; Galatians 2:10; Galatians 15:25; 1 Corinthians 16:1). They cared not only for the poor among themselves, but contributed also to the necessities of those at a distance (Acts 11:29; Acts 24:17; 2 Corinthians 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.