3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Alms  \Alms\,  n.  sing.  &  pl  [OE.  almes,  almesse,  AS  [ae]lmysse, 
  fr  L.  eleemosyna  Gr  ?  mercy,  charity,  alms,  fr  ?  to  pity. 
  Cf  {Almonry},  {Eleemosynary}.] 
  Anything  given  gratuitously  to  relieve  the  poor,  as  money, 
  food,  or  clothing;  a  gift  of  charity. 
 
  A  devout  man  .  .  .  which  gave  much  alms  to  the  people. 
  --Acts  x.  2. 
 
  Alms  are  but  the  vehicles  of  prayer.  --Dryden. 
 
  {Tenure  by  free  alms}.  See  {Frankalmoign}.  --Blackstone. 
 
  Note:  This  word  alms  is  singular  in  its  form  (almesse),  and 
  is  sometimes  so  used  as  ``asked  an  alms.''  --Acts 
  iii.  3.``Received  an  alms.''  --Shak.  It  is  now 
  however,  commonly  a  collective  or  plural  noun  It  is 
  much  used  in  composition,  as  almsgiver,  almsgiving, 
  alms  bag,  alms  chest,  etc 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  alms 
  n  :  voluntary  contributions  to  aid  the  poor  [syn:  {alms-giving}] 
 
  From  Easton's  1897  Bible  Dictionary  [easton]: 
 
  Alms 
  Not  found  in  the  Old  Testament,  but  repeatedly  in  the  New  The 
  Mosaic  legislation  (Lev.  25:35;  Deut.  15:7)  tended  to  promote  a 
  spirit  of  charity,  and  to  prevent  the  occurrence  of  destitution 
  among  the  people.  Such  passages  as  these  Ps  41:1;  112:9;  Prov. 
  14:31;  Isa.  10:2;  Amos  2:7;  Jer.  5:28;  Ezek.  22:29,  would  also 
  naturally  foster  the  same  benevolent  spirit. 
 
  In  the  time  of  our  Lord  begging  was  common  (Mark  10:46;  Acts 
  3:2).  The  Pharisees  were  very  ostentatious  in  their  almsgivings 
  (Matt.  6:2).  The  spirit  by  which  the  Christian  ought  to  be 
  actuated  in  this  duty  is  set  forth  in  1  John  3:17.  A  regard  to 
  the  state  of  the  poor  and  needy  is  enjoined  as  a  Christian  duty 
  (Luke  3:11;  6:30;  Matt.  6:1;  Acts  9:36;  10:2,  4),  a  duty  which 
  was  not  neglected  by  the  early  Christians  (Luke  14:13;  Acts 
  20:35;  Gal.  2:10;  Rom.  15:25-27;  1  Cor.  16:1-4).  They  cared  not 
  only  for  the  poor  among  themselves,  but  contributed  also  to  the 
  necessities  of  those  at  a  distance  (Acts  11:29;  24:17;  2  Cor. 
  9:12).  Our  Lord  and  his  attendants  showed  an  example  also  in 
  this  (John  13:29). 
 
  In  modern  times  the  "poor-laws"  have  introduced  an  element 
  which  modifies  considerably  the  form  in  which  we  may  discharge 
  this  Christian  duty. 
 

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