Practicing Almsgiving at Lent

I grew up in a Pentecostal church. We celebrated Easter, but there wasn’t a significant emphasis on the season of Lent. I have learned more about Lent as my faith has broadened and matured, however, I do remember a most embarrassing moment when I told a Catholic work friend that she had a little something on her forehead on Ash Wednesday.

There are three pillars to the practice of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The term almsgiving is a fairly new one to me, and I’d like to spend some time exploring it today.

What Is Almsgiving?

As defined by Dictionary.com, almsgiving is the act of donating money, food, or other items to the poor or needy, especially as a spiritual practice. Almsgiving helps us experience giving freely, which leads to freedom from the obsession with possessing, from the fear of losing what we have.

When I think about alms, I think about money for the poor as well as the woman who gave her last two coins at the temple. If you’re unfamiliar with the story, you’ll find it in the Bible, in Matthew chapter 12.

The chapter begins with Jesus rebuking the religious leaders via the parable of the tenants. It then goes on to encourage us to both pay our taxes and to give our resources to God. There is a debate about marriage at the resurrection, and then Jesus gives us the greatest commandment: to love God and love others. There are a few more words around who Jesus is and warning against teachers of the law.

Then, Jesus sits near the place where people give their offerings to God at the temple. He notices those who are giving. Some wealthy men give much. Then a poor widow comes and gives the equivalent of a few cents. Jesus calls his disciples near, realizing he has a key opportunity to teach them.

He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on” (Matt. 12:43-44 NIV).

I love that Jesus noticed. He’d been busy rebuking the religious leaders, emphasizing the basic tenets of the gospel, sparring with the religious leaders. Then he sits down and watches the temple giving. He sees the widow and her sacrifice and knows it’s significant enough to discuss with his disciples.

If we ever believe our sacrificial giving isn’t important to Jesus, we would be mistaken. He values our sacrificial giving and considers it a significant act of worship.

Practicing Almsgiving at Lent

Many people practice the pillars of prayer and fasting during the Lenten period. I have not often heard of the practice of almsgiving. However, that could very well be because others are practicing it in humility.

As I consider how to practice almsgiving myself this season, I think it’s important that we don’t view it in terms of the amount but in terms of sacrifice. I truly believe God cares far less about the number on the check we write and far more about the condition of our hearts and our submission to him.

I hope to prayerfully consider where God is asking me to invest more. Where can my sacrificial giving make the most impact? Is God already working in my community where I can participate, whether with my time or my resources?

Giving money to a large organization can be great, but consider some of the smaller organizations impacting those in your immediate community. Consider your passions and where you might also be able to contribute your time and build relationships.

The first two pillars of Lent are focused on our personal relationship with God. I love the focus on the almsgiving pillar, as it addresses the second part of the great commandment, loving others as ourselves.

I hope you’ll join me in asking the Spirit to lead you to actions that will draw you closer to both God and his creation during Lent. May we actively pray in hopes of hearing God lead us toward his will. May we fast to encourage our bodies to focus on our creator rather than creation. And may we consider the practice of almsgiving and how God may be calling us to participate. May we be willing to give sacrificially this Lenten season in hopes of both growing closer to him and growing his kingdom.

Amy Wiebe is a Jesus follower, wife, mom of three, finance director, and lover of sarcasm and deep conversations with friends. She also loves camping, rafting, skiing, sewing, and hosting others in her home.

Photograph © Napendra Singh, used with permission