March 4, 2009

What is almsgiving? 

Any favor done to assist the needy, and prompted by charity, is almsgiving. It implies a material service rendered to the poor for Christ’s sake. The responsibility of assisting the indigent belongs to those who have plenty. The early Christians fully realized the importance of this obligation, regarding the community of goods (Acts 4:32) and collections in church (Acts 11:29ff; 1 Cor 16:1; Gal 2:10). The ministry of deacons was simply the inauguration of that world-wide system of Christian charity. The Fathers of the Church frequently inculcated the necessity of almsgiving. St. Basil recounts how St. Lawrence distributed the treasures of the Church to the poor. Almsgiving should be fruitful for both giver and receiver: it should be discreet (2 Thes 3:10; Sir 12:4), prompt (Prov 3:28), secret and humble (Matt 6:2), cheerful (2 Cor 9:7), and abundant (Tob 4:9). Almsgiving renders God himself debtor to those giving alms (Matt 25:40ff). Moreover, it adds special efficacy to prayer (Tob 4:7), and ultimately paves the way to the gift of faith (Acts 10:31).

This week’s apologist is Father Andreas Hock, chair of the sacred Scripture department at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. If you have a question about the Catholic faith, send your question to: editor@archden.org.  Indicate it is for Ask an Apologist.