Almsgiving: When Faith Becomes Visible

There are seasons in the life of the Church when quiet practices speak the loudest. Lent is one of those seasons. It is a time of reflection, of repentance, of returning to what matters most. And woven into that sacred rhythm is a practice as old as the faith itself: almsgiving.

Almsgiving is the act of donating money, goods, or time to those in need. Rooted in compassion and charity, it is not simply philanthropy with a religious label. Within the Global Methodist Church, almsgiving is recognized as one of the “Works of Mercy.” It is an outward expression of an inward love for Christ. In other words, it is faith made visible.

At its core, almsgiving is an expression of love. It mirrors the mercy of God by meeting real needs in real lives. When we give, we are not merely transferring resources. We are participating in a divine pattern, one that flows from abundance toward need. The act of sharing what we have becomes a reflection of the One who first gave to us.

But almsgiving is also a work of justice. Poverty is not an abstract concept. It lives in grocery bills that stretch too far, in closets that lack winter coats, in homes where unexpected expenses create quiet anxiety. Sharing our resources helps address those realities. It becomes a way of standing in solidarity with our neighbors, ensuring that compassion does not remain a sentiment but becomes action.

There is another, more personal dimension to this practice. Almsgiving reshapes the giver. In a culture that constantly urges us to accumulate more, giving becomes a spiritual recalibration. It loosens our grip on material things and reminds us that our security rests not in possessions but in God’s provision. In that surrender, something surprising often happens: joy. Generosity has a way of returning blessings in forms we do not always expect. Peace. Gratitude. A deeper sense of purpose.

And perhaps most beautifully, almsgiving builds community. It connects people. It strengthens the invisible threads that bind a congregation together. The giver and the recipient are no longer strangers; they are participants in a shared story of care and compassion.

Almsgiving itself can take many forms. Sometimes it looks like financial support. Sometimes it is food placed quietly on a pantry shelf or clothing folded carefully for someone in need. At other times, it is time given freely: volunteering, tutoring, offering professional skills, or simply showing up. Every gift, whether large or small, becomes part of a larger tapestry of mercy.

During this Lenten season, our Church will be equally distributing monetary almsgiving among three organizations that serve our local community: The Flora Food Pantry, The Blessing Closet, and Bringhurst Community Church’s “We Care” Fund. Each of these ministries stands at the intersection of need and hope, offering practical assistance and compassionate presence to those facing difficult circumstances.

As we move through Lent, almsgiving invites us into something deeper than charity. It calls us into transformation. It reminds us that love is not merely something we feel, but something we do. And when that love moves outward—into pantries, into closets, into emergency funds—it becomes a witness.

In the end, almsgiving is not about the size of the gift. It is about the posture of the heart. It is about becoming a people whose compassion is not theoretical, whose faith is not hidden, and whose love is strong enough to step beyond words.

This season, may our giving shape us as much as it serves others.