The Didache 9 – Sweaty Alms

This series is reflecting on the Didache if you want to read it separately.

And also concerning this, it has been said, Let your alms sweat in your hands, until you know to whom you should give.

Do you have the money for your alms identified? Does it “sweat” while you wait for the Spirit to show you to whom to give the money?

Or are you more like me, thinking about giving less that I should? I’m a long way from the point where I could say that my alms sweat in my hands. And I’m certainly no expert on listening to God. But I think this statement in the teaching really drives home the earthiness and immediacy of what it means to give. It is not some abstract transaction.

I pray for sweaty alms. And I fear that my prayer might be answered.