On the Virtue of #Almsgiving
To bestow alms is not merely an act of human kindness but a testament to one's communion with the divine. The very fabric of our Christian faith rests on the love of God for His creation, and in almsgiving, we mirror that boundless love. As John Chrysostom might have opined, it is a silent sermon we preach, not with our lips, but with our deeds.
Recall the divine words of Scripture, so poignant and clear, "to share your bread with the hungry, to take the wretched poor into your home, and when you see the naked, to clothe him." (Isaiah 58:7). And when we act in this manner, we ought not to boast of our own righteousness or the wealth we bestow. Instead, we should understand that, by aiding another, we are truly laying treasures in the heavenly realms where neither rust nor moth destroys, and thieves do not break in and steal (Luke 12:33).
Giving is not reserved solely for the gold or silver we possess. Indeed, as our beloved Saint John the Baptist proclaimed, our charity should transcend the boundaries of race, color, creed, or tongue. We ought to give freely, in wisdom, love, counsel, and hope. This act of giving, detached from vanity, with sincerity of heart, and in the spirit of true benevolence, brings us closer to the essence of Christ Himself.
The fruits of such devout almsgiving are manifold:
1. Cleansing of the Soul: "Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in the day of trouble." (Psalm 40:1). In our act of charity, we find purification from our transgressions.
2. Salvation and Mercy: Reflect upon the words from Daniel, "Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you; break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed" (Dan 4:27). By our love and acts of mercy, we invoke the grace and forgiveness of the Most High.
3. The Eternal Reward: The Gospel of Luke reminds us, "And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings" (Luke 16:9). Through our earthly acts of generosity, we pave our path to the eternal kingdom.
Almsgiving, thus, is more than a mere act. It is a testament to our surrender to the Almighty. Alongside prayer, fasting, and other sacred rites, it completes the symphony of our Orthodox worship. It behooves us, as followers of the teachings of the Apostles and early fathers, to uphold this tradition, lending our hands and hearts to those in need, unified in purpose and spirit.
May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always.
May the blessings of God's mother, the virgin, and the cross be upon us. Amen.
© John's Repentance
Reach out to us on our social media platforms and share it with your friends: https://linktr.ee/johnsrepentance