Giving Alms

Matthew 6 opens with a new section of the Sermon on the Mount, warning kingdom citizens against the wrong motives in their practice of righteousness. As noted, the previous section focused on what one practices as righteousness (right living); whereas this section focuses on how one is to practice that righteousness.

Jesus began the section presenting a general application of the principles necessary to the practice of righteousness. This presentation uses three acts that are typical of all religions: alms, prayer, and fasting. For example, the Koran teaches these three duties as necessary for one to enter paradise. Prayer carries a man halfway to paradise; fasting brings him to the gates, and alms give him entrance. Mohammad took these principles from Judaism and, no doubt, misapplied their function because of what he observed in the practice of them by the Jews. As mere religious acts, these things are worthless and do nothing to improve one’s status with God. As disciplines in our spiritual walk before God, they are important. What is more important is for whom we do them. The error of the Jews was that what they did they did “to be seen” by those around them (v. 1).

The Lord is not arguing that giving to the needy is unnecessary. The Lord clearly designated almsgiving as righteousness (v. 1). He assumed that His disciples were already in the habit of relieving the needs of the poor. However, what Jesus warned against was using benevolence deliberately to seek public recognition—the praise of men being the objective of the obedience.

The term translated alms is derived from the root meaning to have compassion or mercy. In other words, it is not that we give to the poor so much as what drives or motivates us to do so. Giving to relieve the needy is simply what ought commonly to characterize humanity. God requires His covenant people to practice benevolence (Deuteronomy 15:7, 8; Leviticus 25:35; Job 29:16; Psalm 41:1; Proverbs 14:21; 19:17; 21:13; 28:27).

Paul charged the Corinthian saints to be “cheerful givers” so that they may “abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8), supporting this by citing Psalm 112:9: “He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” Paul used only the portion of the psalm he wanted for his point, but an additional phrase ends the sentence: “his horn is exalted in honor.” Horn is a symbol for strength and power. The psalm describes the “blessed man” who is defined by his character, conduct, and destiny. The question is, who exalts him in honor? The scribes and Pharisees sought praise from others. Jesus argues that one should seek only that which comes from the Father. All glory is to be given to the Father through Jesus Christ. “For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen” (Matthew 6:13).