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Almsgiving
The Chapel will participate in Cedar Parks
weekly almsgiving focus as it is listed in the bulletin. People may
accomplish their almsgiving by designating their gift on a giving
envelope, or depositing their gift in the alms-box located at the front
of the chapel.
The individual righteous-person has obligations for
almsgiving
from
Poverty
and Welfare A Biblical Perspective, By Dr. Joseph B. Fuiten
Almsgiving is money given out of mercy for the poor. The Israelite
was commanded to be generous in opening his hand wide to the poor and
needy (Deuteronomy 15:11). Gleanings from vineyards, orchards,
olive groves, and fields should be made available to the poor
(Leviticus 19:9-10;
Ruth 2:2,7-8). Blessings were promised to
those who were generous in aiding the poor (Proverbs 14:21;
19:17). Eventually, the notion developed that almsgiving had power to
atone for the giver's sins.
By Jesus' time, the word righteousness was tied closely to the word
alms. Thus, when Jesus taught about "charitable deeds" (or
almsgiving;
Matthew 6:2-4), prayer
(Matthew 6:5-15), and
fasting (Matthew 6:16-18), he prefaced his teachings by saying,
"Beware of practicing your piety [literally, righteousness] before
men in order to be seen by them" (Matthew 6:1). In this way
he taught that the giving of alms to the poor must not become a
theatrical display to win people's applause; the praise that comes from
God is more important.
The Book of Acts comments favorably on several instances of
almsgiving. A certain disciple at Joppa-- a woman named Tabitha, or
Dorcas-- was full of good works and charitable deeds (Acts 9:36).
A God-fearing man named Cornelius "gave alms generously to the
people, and prayed to God always" (Acts 10:2). Then, as now,
God acknowledges those who give gifts of bread to the hungry and in
other ways show compassion to the needy (Isaiah
58:6-8;
1 John 3:17).
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Missions]
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