Beliefs and Origins - The Order of Alms

BELIEFS AND TEACHINGS OF ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHEDO CHURCH

13. THE ORDER OF ALMS GIVING

Alms giving are among the most important religious deeds. The basis of alms is “Give your bread to the hungry, bring the homeless poor into your house, don’t be indifferent to the hungry in your house, blessed are those who have compassion”. (Is. 58:6-8; Mt. 5:7).

Alms are given in two ways:

a) As the Lord said in the Sermon on the Mount: “... Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing...” (Mt. 6:1-4). Alms should be given without the knowledge of a second person.

b) As it is ordered in the religious part of the Fetha Negest, Article 16, alms are given in and through the Church.

Alms giving pave the way to perfection. (Mt. 19:21-22).
Alms giving is above all good deeds. (Hos. 6:6; Mt. 12:7).
Alms have apostolic tradition. (1Cor. 16:1-4; 2Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:9-10; Heb. 13:16).

From among the Church Fathers, St. John Chrysostom has taught that alms should be given to the needy without distinction. (Jn.4:24).