Tell the truth and shame the devil! Don’t you feel so much better as a human being when you do something good for another person. It even feels better when you know the person is in dire need. It is our Christian duty to take care of the widows, poor, etc. For Deuteronomy 15: 7-8 tells us: “If among you, one of your brothers (sisters) should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother (sister), but you shall open your hand to him (her) and lend sufficient for his (her) need, whatever it may be.”
Almsgiving is the act of donating or giving money or goods to the poor or performing other acts of charity. It is considered one of the three pillars of Lenten practices. The other two pillars being fasting and prayer.
The season of Lent is a perfect time for us to practice almsgiving. When we consider how blessed we are by our God, we should have a compulsion to bless others with our giving. Giving alms can be donating your time, money or services. Proverbs 19: 17 tells us, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay him for his deed.”
In writing this message, its intent is to inspire us to do more for the poor and needy. Let us not be haughty in our actions. May we be intentional in identifying a special charity, project, cause, etc. to donate our services, goods or funds. Yes, it is good to go into our closets and pull out our old clothes that we can’t wear any longer and give them to a charity, but during this Lenten season, put forth a concerted effort to give something new or fresh. Sacrifice and give above and beyond your tithe.
Let’s look at almsgiving from this perspective. When we give away money and possessions, it is our way of showing the love of God to others. May we be reminded that most people are not poor because they wish to be poor. In many cases, unemployment has set lots of people back financially. Some have lost everything they own due to a natural disaster or fate. Whatever the cause, we know that during the pandemic lives were changed forever. Thank God that many of us have not missed a beat and for that we should be thankful.
During this season of Lent, make a commitment of setting aside a small amount of money each day for a charitable cause. If you were to put aside $1.00 each day, you would have saved $40.00 by Easter Sunday. It does not have to be $1.00 a day, try 10 cents a day and that should equal $4.00 by Easter Sunday. It is not the amount you give, rather giving willingly and from the heart is what counts. We know how the days of Lent are calculated, therefore by Easter your savings may be greater than I have stated.
There really is no excuse for not giving alms. If you are not able to make a financial contribution, then identify an organization where you might be able to volunteer your services.
If you were to take note of the gospels, we would find that Jesus always showed preference to the poor. Our giving can be an example of drawing nearer to Him. We are called to take on the character of God, therefore, it should be easy to give and serve.
In writing this message, I am inspired by the Holy Spirit to declare Holy Week as Almsgiving Week also. I admonish you to pinpoint a day to volunteer yourself to provide some service to a person in need. It may be as simple as taking an elderly person to the grocery store or picking up a prescription. Try maybe visiting an Assistant Living or Nursing Home to see a love one. Let’s come out of our comfort zone and do something radical. It may be even preparing a meal for a person or group that is looking for help.
It is my belief that Maundy Thursday (Foot Washing) would be a good day to collect your almsgiving donations. Take time and write your checks to your own charitable organization or write a check to Genesis Covenant Church with Almsgiving in parenthesis on your check. This is not an attempt to raise funds, rather an aid to persons who may have difficulty deciding where to give. If checks are written to Genesis Covenant Church, every cent will go to the unhoused population (homeless).
Again the intent of this message is to inspire us to give to those in need.
Not a sermon, just my thoughts!
Robert Earl Slade, Pastor
