Living by God’s Economic Plan (Part VI)

Session 6: When You Do Your Alms

Today we are continuing a series that I am calling “Living by God’s Economic Plan (a Christian Response to the Global Economic “Crisis”)”. We are discussing the foundational truths of the Economic Plan that God has established and documented in His instruction manual, the Bible. We will be looking at what we see out in the world, and comparing it to what we see in God’s Word, and then putting into action the steps that God gives us to establish a sound fiscal policy within our own lives. Our last lesson was called Where to Sow, and we discussed three key points:

1. We sow where we are fed!


2. We sow in fertile (i.e., Godly) soil!


3. Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing!

Last week we talked about two methods of giving, tithes and offerings. This week we are going to talk about giving alms. Let’s start in Matthew chapter 6:

Take heed that you do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise you have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when you do your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Truly I say unto you, They have their reward. But when you do alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand does: That your alms may be in secret: and your Father which sees in secret himself shall reward you openly. (Matthew 6:1-4)

Let’s start today with our Key Point Number 1: Jesus says WHEN you do alms, not IF!

And notice that like we’ve said before, motive is everything – we do alms not to be seen of men, not to receive glory from men, but instead we do them quietly and secretly. So, what exactly is Jesus talking about by “alms”? Let’s take a look at the word from the original Greek:

1654: eleemosune el-eh-ay-mos-oo’-nay
1) mercy, pity
1a) esp. as exhibited in giving alms, charity
2) the benefaction itself, a donation to the poor, alms

Alms giving is taking pity on or showing mercy to someone – what I like to call “purely charitable” giving. Tithes and offerings are means of sowing seed into Godly ministries, used to provide meat for God’s house, where we can directly benefit from the fruit. We see the results as the ministry grows. Alms giving produces fruit that is often less visible. When we give quietly and secretly to provide a charitable gift to someone in need, any reward is going to have to come from God directly – the beneficiary will not be able to give back to us in any natural way. And that is why God promises His supernatural reward, and why alms giving is special. Let’s read more from Jesus on giving alms:

And seek not what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, neither be of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knows that you have need of these things. But rather seek the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that fails not, where no thief approaches, neither does moth corrupt. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:29-34)

We have referred to the “seek first the kingdom of God” verses several times in our study of God’s Economic Plan, but I want us to see how these verses connect our trusting God for our provision to our alms giving. Most people quoting from this passage stop after verse 32, stopping before they read “Sell what you have, and give alms”. But in the complete context, Jesus reveals that our giving of alms is an indicator of the state of our heart – where our treasure is, there will our heart be also. So God expects us to be giving alms, where only God can repay us. But like we saw with tithes and offerings, we again need to be cautious not to just throw our giving anywhere or any way:

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how you ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But you, brethren, be not weary in well doing. (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13)

Here’s today’s Key Point Number 2: Give alms to those who CAN’T, not those who WON’T!

Giving to someone who can’t work is one thing, but Paul commands us not to be giving to people that won’t work, those that are looking for handouts instead of looking for a “hand up”. One of the shortcomings of welfare systems is that they can have the effect of encouraging recipients not to work, making people slaves to the system. They become fearful that if they do find a job, they will lose their handout and they might not have enough. God never intended for alms giving to put people into this type of bondage.

But this point has another danger – the danger that the fear of giving to the wrong person paralyzes people into not giving alms at all. I’ve heard many people make statements (or excuses) like “oh, if I give them something they’ll just spend it on alcohol”, or something similar. Yet, what does the Bible say about seeing people in need and doing nothing? Let’s read:

What does it profit, my brethren, though a man say he has faith, and has not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled; notwithstanding you give them not those things which are needful to the body; what does it profit? Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (James 2:14-18)

Just saying “I’ll pray for you, Brother”, and not helping to provide things that are needful, is dead faith. Our faith becomes alive when we back it up with good works. I learned about a church this week that has really gone to the next level when it comes to giving alms. Waterfront Community Church (www.Waterfrontcc.com) in Schaumburg, Illinois actually has structured their church in such a way that they take 100% of their offerings and give it away to someone in need. They are getting the attention of the people who have been turned off by ministers living millionaire lifestyles. They do it wisely, making sure that they are blessing people in need and not contributing to bad lifestyles. And I find this intentionally setting up a church to be able to minister in this manner incredibly intriguing.

Now, getting back to our verses from James, we see that he specifically refers to “a brother or sister” in need. But do we only help other Christians? Allow me to answer that – No!. Let’s read what Jesus taught:

Give to every man that asks of you; and of him that takes away your goods ask them not again. And as you would that men should do to you, do also to them likewise. For if you love them which love you, what thank have you? for sinners also love those that love them. And if you do good to them which do good to you, what thank have you? for sinners also do even the same. And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thank have you? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged: condemn not, and you shall not be condemned: forgive, and you shall be forgiven: 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 you mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (Luke 6:30-38)

Jesus says give to every man, not just your brothers and sisters. Jesus says give to every man, including your enemies. So, as we give to every man, is it possible that we will be taken advantage of? Of course! But Jesus says “love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”

So here is today’s Key Point Number 3: Do not fear being taken advantage of!

A friend of mine related a story of how a single mother of two young children started coming to his church. She was about to be kicked out of her apartment for not paying the rent, so he paid the rent for her. And that was the last time that he saw her. He asked the question “was I wrong”? This is the question that got me to thinking about all of the verses that we discussed today. And after spending some time studying this I answered my friend that I don’t think that he was wrong. Providing a month’s shelter for a single mom is not wrong. Giving to others as you would have men should do to you is not wrong. Giving to others, hoping for nothing again, is not wrong. Jesus promises that his reward shall be great.

I can better relate to this young mother, having recently gone through a difficult period where I was the recipient of others giving alms to support me and my family. It was a blessing, but it also hurt to be in that position. I now have a powerful revelation on Jesus’ statement that “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. I don’t know the motives of the young mother, or what her actual feelings were, but I do know that she could have been feeling a certain amount of guilt or embarrassment. And let’s face it, if her motive was purely to take advantage of my friend, she wouldn’t have had any problem with continuing to come to the church for her next month’s rent.

So, let’s do our alms, let’s help people unable to help themselves, and let’s not be paralyzed into inaction by fear of being taken advantage of. God promises to bless:

He that gives unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hides his eyes shall have many a curse. (Proverbs 28:27)

Next week we will be taking a brief break from our series on Living by God’s Economic Plan. Instead we will take a look at The Halls of Power.

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