On Almsgiving and a Merciful Heart
Almsgiving has always been an essential part of Christian life. It is not limited to giving money, nor is it merely an act of social kindness. In the Gospel, mercy toward another person is presented as an expression of our love for God. Christ teaches that good deeds should be offered without seeking praise or recognition:
"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them… Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." (Matthew 6:1–2)
These words appear in the Sermon on the Mount, where Christ teaches His disciples how to pray, fast, and give alms. The Lord does not condemn the good deed itself. He warns against doing it in order to be admired by others. He continues:
"That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:4)
God sees not only what we give, but also the intention of the heart. True almsgiving does not seek attention, gratitude, influence, or repayment.
The Publican and the Pharisee
The parable of the Publican and the Pharisee, found in Luke 18:9–14, gives us an important warning about pride. The Pharisee fasted and gave tithes, but he used these good deeds to praise himself and judge another person:
"I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess." (Luke 18:12)
His fasting and giving were not wrong. The problem was that pride had entered his heart. The Publican stood at a distance and prayed:
"God be merciful to me a sinner." (Luke 18:13)
Christ says that the Publican went down to his house justified rather than the other, because he approached God with humility and repentance. This teaches us that even almsgiving can become spiritually harmful when it is joined to self-praise, pride, or judgment. A Christian does not give in order to feel superior, but out of gratitude to God and compassion for the person in need.
The widow's offering
The value of almsgiving is not measured only by the amount given. In Mark 12:41–44, Christ watches people placing their offerings into the Temple treasury. Many wealthy people give large amounts, but a poor widow offers only two small coins. The Lord says:
"Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury." (Mark 12:43)
Christ explains that the others gave from their abundance, while she gave from her poverty (Mark 12:44). Her small offering revealed faith, sacrifice, and trust in God. One person may give money, while another may offer food, clothing, time, transportation, encouragement, forgiveness, or companionship. A small gift offered with love can be great before God.
Mercy shown to Christ
Christ teaches that mercy shown to a person in need is received by Him personally:
"Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40)
This verse appears in Christ's teaching about the Last Judgment in Matthew 25:31–46. The Lord speaks about feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, clothing the poor, visiting the sick, and remembering those in prison.
A merciful heart notices those who are easily forgotten: the poor, the sick, the elderly, the lonely, and those carrying burdens that others cannot see. Almsgiving begins not only with an open hand, but with an attentive and humble heart. Through works of mercy, we learn to recognize the image of God in every person and to help without humiliating, judging, or expecting anything in return.
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." (Matthew 5:7)
This verse is one of the Beatitudes at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. Christ teaches that mercy is not simply an occasional action. It is a characteristic of those who belong to His Kingdom.
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