True Cleansing: Almsgiving That Begins Within

True Cleansing and Genuine Almsgiving

1. You have heard the holy Gospel and how the Lord Jesus, in what He said to the Pharisees, conveyed a lesson to His own disciples—that they should not think righteousness consists merely in cleansing the body. Every day, the Pharisees washed themselves in water before dining, as if a daily washing could cleanse the heart. Then Jesus revealed what kind of people they truly were. He told them what He saw in them, for He saw not only their faces but also their inner thoughts.

So that you may understand this: the Pharisee to whom Christ responded had thoughts within himself that he didn't speak aloud, yet the Lord heard him. The Pharisee privately criticized the Lord Christ for coming to his feast without having washed. He was only thinking this, but the Lord heard and therefore answered him. What did He answer? "Now you Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter, but your inside is full of greed and wickedness" (Luke 11:39).

Is this how one treats a dinner host? How is it that Jesus didn't spare the man who had invited Him? Actually, by rebuking him, Jesus did spare him—so that through correction, He might spare him at the final judgment. And what is Jesus teaching us? That Baptism, which is administered once for all, cleanses through faith. Faith is within, not without. As it is said and recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, "purifying their hearts by faith" (Acts 15:9).

And the Apostle Peter speaks this way in his letter: "There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God)" (1 Peter 3:21). This "answer of a good conscience" was what the Pharisees disregarded. They washed "what was outside," but inside they remained full of impurity.

2. And what did Jesus say to them after this? "But rather give alms, and behold, all things are clean to you" (Luke 11:41). See the importance of almsgiving—practice it and experience it. But wait a moment; this was said to the Pharisees. These Pharisees were Jews, the elite among the Jews, those considered most learned and distinguished.

They had not received Christ's Baptism. They had not yet believed in Christ, the Only-begotten Son of God, who walked among them but was not recognized by them. How then does He say to them, "Give alms, and behold, all things are clean to you" ? If the Pharisees had listened to Him and given alms, immediately "all things would have been clean to them" according to His word. Then what need would they have had to believe in Him?

But if they couldn't be cleansed except by believing in Him, who "purifies the heart by faith," what does He mean by saying, "Give alms, and behold, all things are clean to you" ? Let's consider this carefully; perhaps He Himself explains it.

3. When He spoke like this, they undoubtedly thought they were already giving alms. And how did they give them? They tithed everything they had, setting aside a tenth of all their produce. Few Christians today do as much. Consider what the Jews did. Not only did they tithe their wheat, wine, and oil, but in obedience to God's command, they also tithed the most insignificant things—cumin, rue, mint, and anise. They set aside a tenth part of everything and gave it as alms.

I suppose, then, that they recalled this and thought the Lord Christ was speaking unnecessarily, as if to people who didn't give alms. They knew what they were doing—how they tithed and gave alms from even the smallest and most trivial of their produce. They mocked Him within themselves as He spoke, as if to people who didn't give alms.

The Lord, knowing this, immediately added, "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, who tithe mint and rue and all herbs" (Luke 11:42). "So that you know I'm aware of your alms—clearly these tithes are your alms. Yes, you tithe even the smallest and most insignificant of your fruits. Yet you neglect the weightier matters of the law: justice and love." Notice: "You have neglected justice and love," even while you tithe herbs. This is not true almsgiving. "These," He says, "you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone" (Luke 11:42). Do what? "Justice and love, judgment and mercy." Do these, but also don't neglect the others. Do these, but give preference to the others.

4. If this is so, why did He say to them, "Give alms, and behold, all things are clean to you" ? What does "Give alms" mean? It means "Show mercy." What does "Show mercy" mean? If you understand, begin with yourself. How could you be merciful to another if you are cruel to yourself? "Give alms, and all things are clean to you." Give true alms.

What is alms? Mercy. Listen to Scripture: "Have mercy on your own soul by pleasing God" (Sirach 30:24). Give alms: "Have mercy on your own soul by pleasing God." Your own soul is a beggar before you—return to your conscience. Whoever you are, living in wickedness or unbelief, return to your conscience. There you will find your soul in a state of beggary, you will find it needy, you will find it poor, you will find it in distress.

Perhaps you don't even recognize its need, because it has become speechless in its neediness. If it begs at all, it "hungers after righteousness" (Matthew 5:6). When you find your soul in such a condition (all this is within, in your heart), first give alms—give it bread.

What bread? If the Pharisee had asked this question, the Lord would have answered, "Give alms to your own soul." This is what He was telling him, though the Pharisee didn't understand. When Jesus listed the alms they customarily gave—which they thought Christ didn't know about—He said to them, "I know you do this: 'you tithe mint, anise, cumin, and rue.' But I'm speaking of different alms. You disregard 'justice and love.' Give alms to your own soul through justice and love."

What does "through justice" mean? Look within and discover yourself. Recognize your flaws and judge yourself. And what is love? "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39). When you do this, you have given alms first to your own soul, within your conscience.

If you neglect this kind of alms, no matter what else you give or how much, it accomplishes nothing. You can give away not just a tenth, but half of your possessions. You can give away nine parts and keep just one for yourself. Yet you do nothing beneficial if you neglect giving alms to your own soul, leaving it impoverished within you.

Let your soul have its nourishment so it doesn't perish from hunger. Give it bread. "What bread?" you ask. The Lord Himself speaks with you. If you would hear, understand, and believe the Lord, He would tell you Himself, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven" (John 6:51).

Wouldn't you first give this Bread to your own soul and show it mercy? If you believe, this is how you should act—feed your own soul first. Believe in Christ, and what is within will be cleansed; then what is outside will also be clean.

Let us turn to the Lord...