Lecture Notes: Importance of Alms in Christianity

Opening Remarks

• Location: Memphis, Tennessee
• Occasion: Grand opening event
• Address: 36-20 Commerce Circle
• Important to bring: Bibles, pens, notebooks, husbands, wives, children

Key Topics

1. Understanding Alms

   • Reference: Matthew 6:1-4
   • Core Message: Do not publicize your alms; keep them private
   • Alms help the community and have spiritual effects
   • Comparison with tithes and offerings

2. Scriptural References

   • Matthew 6:1-4: Importance of discretion while giving alms
     • Verse 1: Don't make alms a public show
     • Verse 2: Avoid hypocrisy in giving
     • Verses 3-4: Give in secret; rewards from God
   • Acts 24:14-17: Paul's perspective on giving
     • Paul gave alms to his nation
   • 1 Corinthians 11:1: Follow examples of Christ and Paul
   • Tobit 1:1-3: Tobit's good deeds to brethren
   • Tobit 4:7-11: Guidelines on giving alms

3. Effects of Alms

   • Alms deliver from death and darkness (Tobit 4:10-11)
   • Alms help the needy and support the community
   • Alms have personal spiritual benefits
   • Tobit 12:8-9: Alms as a purifying force
     • Verse 8-9: Alms deliver from death and purge sin
   • Matthew 6:24: Cannot serve two masters (God and wealth)

4. Proper Recipients of Alms

   • Reference: Sirach 3:30; Sirach 12:1-5
   • Give to the godly, not to sinners
   • Helping those who follow God's laws brings blessings
   • Avoid giving alms to the ungodly

Transition to Tithing

1. Understanding Tithing

   • Misconceptions from Christian teachings cleared
   • Malachi 3:8-11: Misquoted in Christian circles
   • Tithing relates to sacrificial offerings of crops and animals
   • Malachi 1:8, 13-14: Context of sacrificial offerings
     • Offering the best to God, not the deficient

2. Scriptural Context of Tithing

   • Deuteronomy 14:22-29: Instructions on tithing and its purpose
     • Tithes are from the produce and livestock
   • Numbers 18:21: The Levites receive the tithe for their role
   • Leviticus 27:30-32: Definition of what belongs to the Lord
     • Tithing includes produce and livestock, not monetary

Clarifying Misconceptions

1. Malachi 3:10: Storehouses for crops and livestock for Levites, orphans, widows, and strangers
2. Windows of Heaven: Rain, not material wealth, supporting agricultural success
3. Importance of Context: Distinction between alms (money) and tithes (produce/livestock)
4. Rejection of Prosperity Gospel: Tithes not equivalent to monetary donations, contrary to popular Christian belief

Conclusion

1. Effectiveness of Alms and Tithes
   • Alms provide spiritual and community benefits
   • Tithes fulfill traditional requirements supporting God’s community
2. Importance of Correct Practice
   • Spiritual practices and giving must align with biblical teachings
   • Encouragement to follow biblical principles to gain true blessings