All through the centuries people have been impelled to help their fellowman. In the Middle Ages this desire often took the form of almsgiving and almshouses; and in our own day one is pleased to see what a large place charities occupy.
So at least part of the spirit of this statement by Christ Jesus is many times fulfilled: "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. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly." Matt. 6:2-4.
Apparently Jesus expected all Christians to give alms. He said "when," not "if." And in the Jews' list of good works, almsgiving already had first importance. It was considered higher even than ritual sacrifice. But what should the individual do who was on the receiving end, who actually depended on almsgiving? Could he never fulfill this sacred requirement? And what of our own days? Can a so called impoverished person give alms?
