People ask why almsgiving is important and rarely get a reasonable answer. First of all, what is almsgiving? Almsgiving is the act of giving to others as a form of virtue, and it can be in the form of money, gifts, or education. You might have been taught from your childhood to always give alms, but you don’t really know why. Well, this list contains the importance of almsgivings, and they include:
An act of mercy
Giving to the thirsty, feeding the hungry, visiting the imprisoned, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, burying the dead, and visiting the sick are all acts of mercy. You can also help by donating to organisations and that provide basic amenities for the less privileged. If you are not financially stable, you can give the alms of yourself, that is, by volunteering at the fore-mentioned organisations. Visiting nursing or elderly homes is also a great idea, and the elderly there would love to see younger people caring for them.
It’s biblical
Giving alms goes way back into the Old Testament, and Jesus also stated the importance of giving in different parts of the Bible, which include:
- In Matthew 8:10, it stated that “Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give”
- In Mathew 5:42, it stated that “Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow”
- In Luke 21:3-4, it stated that “I tell you truly, this poor window put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood”
It encourages gratitude
People go through different struggles in their lives, and sometimes it gets worse. When this happens, it is easy to assume the worst in one’s life and also have tunnel vision. Giving alms to the less fortunate opens our hearts and eyes to all the suffering in the world, making us grateful for everything we have.
It helps form a habit of giving
When we start almsgiving at any time of the year (lent), it becomes a habit of generosity and giving. Many people give during the festive season but forget that the needy also need help during other time of the year. So the habit of giving regardless of the season should be cultivated in every one of us, either daily or as lent.
To enrich and strengthen our prayer life
We can spread the love of God to others by giving alms, which serves as an overflow of our prayer life. The more we give alms, the more we receive God’s circle of grace and blessing, thus enriching our prayer life. There is a reason fasting, prayer, and almsgiving is the trio focus of Lent. They work together to convert our minds and heart to God. Focusing on one or two and ignoring other(s) might not bring the fullness of grace that is meant for you.
Serves as a trigger for a chain reaction of blessings
According to the Bible, almsgiving is said to be one of our most important duties. Almsgiving helps jump-start a chain reaction of blessing, whereby you have little to no problems, become financially stable, and have control over your life.
The blessings gotten from giving alms are not temporary but permanent because they are directly bestowed on us by God. It is our sole duty as believers to obey the word of God and give to the needy either money-wise or self-wise.
So I advise you all to pray and give alms with a joyful heart, be it time, money, or talent. Nothing is lost when you give, as a matter of fact, you would receive so much more than the alms you gave.
Source(s)
5 Reasons for Almsgiving – simplecatholicliving
THE IMPORTANCE OF ALMSGIVING – prayer4reparation
