God's attention

I was thinking about those that every day faithfully pray to God. This reminded me of Cornelius, the first Gentile that received the gift of the Holy Ghost and was baptized in the name of Jesus. (Acts 10). It was his prayers to God that got God’s attention. And his alms.

When I was thinking about how the Bible says it was the prayers of Cornelius that came up for a memorial before God, I realized the verse ALSO mentions his alms.

"He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God." - Acts 10:3-4 KJV

What are alms?

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says alms are mercy, pity, especially as exhibited in giving alms, giving charity… to show one’s compassion. (See Thayer’s and Vine’s definitions below).

Cornelius had God’s attention as a result of his prayers AND his giving.

When Peter came to his house, we hear it again.

"And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God." - Acts 10:30-31 KJV

God’s attention.

 

Thayer's Greek Lexicon: 1. mercy, pity… (especially as exhibited in giving alms, charity: Matthew 6:4; …to practise the virtue of mercy or beneficence, to show one's compassion, [A. V. do alms]...Matthew 6:1…, acts of beneficence, benefactions…Acts 10:2; εἴς τινα, Acts 24:17. Hence, 2. the benefaction itself, a donation to the poor, alms… Luke 11:41; Luke 12:33 (to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require); Acts 3:2; λαμβάνειν, Acts 3:3; … for (the purpose of asking) alms, Acts 3:10; plural, Acts 9:36; Acts 10:4, 31.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words:  Alms, Almsdeeds: connected with eleemon, "merciful," signifies (a) "mercy, pity, particularly in giving alms," Mat 6:1, (see below),2, 3, 4; Act 10:2; 24:17; (b) the benefaction itself, the "alms" (the effect for the cause), Luke 11:41; 12:33; Act 3:2, 3, 10; 9:36, "almsdeeds;" Act 10:2, 4, 31. Note: In Mat 6:1, the RV, translating dikaiosune, according to the most authentic texts, has "righteousness," for AV, "alms."