by Peter Williamson

Lent has come ‘round once again and we are reminded that Jesus says “when you give alms…, when you fast…, when you pray” (Matt 6:3-6, 16-18).  These are the practices he expects will characterize his disciples.  Why?

My focus in this brief article is the relationship between almsgiving and the gospel.  At first glance, it would seem that there is no particular relationship, since almsgiving is already taught in the Old Testament (e.g., Deut 15:7-11; Prov 19:17; 31:20) and is practiced by Jews, Muslims, adherents of other religions, and even many atheists.  It would seem that giving to the needy is universally recognized as virtuous, even obligatory in cases of urgent need.  We Christians can celebrate this common ground with people of all beliefs, especially with the Jewish people, since like them, we draw upon the rich teaching of the Old Testament about almsgiving.

The difference that the gospel makes has everything to do with Jesus.  First, Jesus teaches a more radical message about almsgiving than anyone did before him.  He doesn’t just say give of your excess income. He says, “Sell your possessions and give alms” that you may possess “an unfailing treasure in heaven” (Luke 12:33).  He insists that all his disciples renounce all their possessions (Luke 14:33; 18:22), says that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35), and points out in parables the tragic end of those who take good care of themselves but neglect care of the poor (Luke 12:15-21; 16:19-25; Matt 25:21-46).

What really distinguishes gospel almsgiving, however, is what Jesus does rather than what he teaches. Here’s the story we read in the Bible:  Jesus hunts down the poorest family he can find,—Adam’s descendants, an absolutely destitute family, caught in an endless cycle of generational poverty, addiction and crime—a hopeless situation, worse than any inner-city family you’ve heard about.  What he does next will take your breath away.  He takes his infinite wealth, including his beautiful home in heaven, and gives it to this poor family, trading residences and life circumstances with each member, taking on all their poverty, and giving to each of them the power become children of God, to leave their poverty behind and to share his Father’s wealth.  One member of that poor family put it this way:

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9).

What motivated Jesus’ almsgiving? “the Son of God… loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20)

Just as Christians are capable of forgiving, because we’ve been forgiven, we are capable of giving alms generously because we are the beneficiaries of Jesus’ matchless generosity.  That’s the secret of the joyous giving of St. Paul, St. Francis, John Wesley, Mother Theresa, Rick Warren, Tom Monaghan, and Heidi Baker to name only a few.

This Lent let’s remember the alms Christ has given us and joyfully pass on to others as much as we are able!