Almsgiving

What is almsgiving and why do we use such a strange word during Lent? According to the dictionary alms•giv•ing [áamz gìvving] is giving to the poor: in former times, the charitable giving of money, food, or goods to people in need. We use the word during lent because giving of our treasure is a key part of Lenten sacrifice, we give money or necessities to people who need them.

Alms comes from the Greek word for compassion. We are called to try and feel what someone in need is feeling. That is hard for most of us to do so we need to practice that daily during Lent. And, don’t think that this will not cost you anything. You are thinking of course it won’t I’ll just put my spare change at the end of the day in an envelope or jar that doesn’t cost anything. If you really want to practice the tradition of giving of what you have then you should give up purchasing a soft drink, going to a movie, going out for a meal. Going without will put you in a person’s shoes who does not have the means to do this. And then to donate the money you save from not purchasing something to a charity.

This year for Lent St. Olaf is collecting alms for Literacy Volunteers – Chippewa Valley. For every $1 invested in a literacy organization, $33 is saved in support services and $11 is generated within the community by increased productivity. Most of us take for granted the skills we have to fill out a job application, use a computer, making a bank deposit with the correct addition or subtraction skills involved or even reading a book to a child. There are many that struggle with these daily tasks for whatever reason. Please, be generous with your almsgiving this year to support LVCV and the volunteers who use the resources to teach those in need of the service LVCV provides will greatly appreciate it.