SOTM 22—Alms

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.“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 6:2-4).Comment:Jesus said not if you give alms, but when you give alms.We are not to trumpeting our piety.Hypocrites: hypokritēs literally meant a play-actor. People who trumpet their almsgiving are only pretending to care about the poor.There is a reward in heaven for giving alms, but not when we do this to impress others.The words about the left hand and the right hand are metaphorical (like cutting off the hand in Matt 5:30). The focus is on the heart, not the hand.Our giving should, as much as possible, be in secret (private).HistoryA great source for the views of the early church is A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs. (The subtitle is A Reference Guide to More than 700 Topics Discussed by the Early Church Fathers.)Early churchAristides: “Christians do not proclaim in the ears of the multitude the kind deeds they do. Instead, they are careful that no one notices them. In fact, they conceal their giving just like one who finds a treasure and conceals it.” Apology 15 (ANF 9.278)Tertullian: “Our compassion spends more in the streets than yours does in the temples!” Apology (ANF 49)Lactantius: “Be generous to the blind, the feeble, the lame, and the destitute. For they will die unless you bestow your gifts upon them. They may be useless to men, but they are serviceable to God.” Divine Institutes (ANF 7.175)Hermas: “Instead of lands, buy afflicted souls, just as each one is able. And visit widows and orphans.” The Shepherd, 3, Parable 1 (ANF 2.31)Tertullian: They used alms “to support and bury poor people, to supply the needs of boys and girls destitute of means and parents, and of old persons who are confined to their houses. These gifts also help those who have suffered shipwreck. And if there happens to be any of us in the mines, banished to the islands, or shut up in the prisons—for no reason other than their faithfulness to the cause of God’s Church—they are supported because of their confession.” Apology (ANF 3.46).Lactantius informs us thatChristians also paid to ransom their brothers from barbarian raiders and to bury the poor, including abandoned strangers. Lactantius, Divine Institutes (ANF 7.177).Julian the Apostate (the pagan Roman emperor of the 360s), in a private letter to friend: “Why then do we think our meagerness is sufficient? Do we not observe the kindness of Christians to strangers, their care for the burial of their dead, and the seriousness of their lifestyle? Do we not see how this has done the most to advance their cause? …The godless Galileans do not only take care of their own poor but of ours as well!” Julian the Apostate, Letter to ArsaciusMiddle ages: It was believed that almsgiving wiped out sins. (See Tobit 12:9.)Reformation (1500s+): Luther overreacted and ended up creating a new gospel where righteous deeds and obedience play no role in salvation. Luther diluted what Jesus taught about almsgiving.Today: "Tithing" (an OT practice, not practiced by the early church as it is not commanded in the NT) is preached in today’s churches. Almsgiving, sadly, usually is not. Is this for fear that giving to the poor might compete with building programs, staff salaries, and various financial drives?What’s the take-away?Give to the poor.Give discreetly. No hoopla / try not to tell others what you’ve done, particularly others who don’t need to know.Intend to give—plan for it. (Keep on hand money, food, or clothing, so that when you are asked you can give.)Donate to an organization you trust.Study what the NT says about giving. Notice especially how much emphasis is given to helping the needy, as compared to other financial causes.Tomorrow: Prayer