Alms

Strong’s definition of ‘alms’: eleēmosýnē, el-eh-ay-mos-oo'-nay; from G1656; compassionateness, i.e. (as exercised towards the poor) beneficence, or (concretely) a benefaction:—alms(-deeds).

Luke 12:

[33] Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

Other instances of “bag”:

John 12:

[6] This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

John 13:

[29] For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.

Acts 3 (KJV):

[2] And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

[3] Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

[4] And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

[5] And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

[6] Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

Acts 3 (NIV):

[2] Now 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 going into the temple courts.

[3] When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.

[4] Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”

[5] So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

[6] Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon shows the use in Acts 10 for the word “alms” the same the 2nd definition in Strongs (the benefaction itself, a donation to the poor, alms).

Young’s definition: kindness, kind acts

Vines definition: 1. mercy, pity, particularly in giving alms 2. the benefaction itself, the alms (the effect for the cause)

1 Timothy 6:

[17] Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

[18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

[19] Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Luke 6:

[34] And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

[35] But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

[36] Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

[37] Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

[38] Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Strongs definition of lend:

daneízō, dan-ide'-zo; from G1156; to loan on interest; reflexively, to borrow:—borrow, lend.

Matthew 6:

[24] No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Luke 16:

[10] He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

[11] If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

[12] And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

[13] No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

2 Corinthians 8:

[1] Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

[2] How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

[3] For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

[4] Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

[5] And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

[6] Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

[7] Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

[8] I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

[9] For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

[10] And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

[11] Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

[12] For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

[13] For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

[14] But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

[15] As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

[16] But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

[17] For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

[18] And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

[19] And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

[20] Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

[21] Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

[22] And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.

[23] Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

[24] Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

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