14:31; Isaiah 10:2; Amos 2:7; Jeremiah 5:28; Ezekiel 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 (Matthew 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; Matthew 6:1; Acts 9:36; 10:2, 4), a duty
which was not neglected by the early Christians (Luke 14:13; Acts 20:35;
Galatians 2:10; Romans 15:25-27; 1 Corinthians 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 Corinthians 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.