Saturday, August 10 (July 28), 2024
Rom. 12:1-3; Mt. 10:37-11:1

“He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward” [Mt. 10:41]. Any doubts regarding alms to the poor can be resolved by these words of the Savior.

Nearly always, almsgiving to the poor is either stopped altogether, or at least significantly reduced by questions: “Who is that person? How is he going to use what I give him?” etc.  The Lord gives you the answer:  the reward for yours almsgiving depends on how you receive an appeal for help and how you respond to it.  Your concern should not be the truth about the person who is asking you; rather, it should be the truth about yourself.  The value of your alms depends on the thoughts which you have when you give them.

As far as the thoughts about giving alms, there are other important sayings: “Comforting a poor is like lending to God” and “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” [Mt. 25:40].  Thus, accept anyone who seeks help like the Lord, and do for him as much as you can, as if he were the Lord: then you will receive not only a prophet’s or a righteous man’s reward, but a reward from the Lord Himself.

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