Alms

ἐλεημοσύνη

alms-giving, charity, donation to poor, generosity,

tzedakah (charity giving)

Can be a verb (something done) or a noun (something given).

Characteristic of the Merciful
Greek-speaking Jews used this word almost exclusively to refer to offering charity to needy people.
To Jews this carried with it the meaning of “charity in the spirit of uprightness or justice” ALMS - JewishEncyclopedia.com.
It was believed to atone for sin and deliver from death (Daniel 4:27)).
Belief came to be that alms giving was more excellent than all offerings and “equal to the whole law”. Rabbi Assi
Cornelius received a visitation from Elohim because his “doing many kind [alms] deeds to the people, and praying to Elohim always” Acts 10
Different than good works from Matthew 5, in Acts 9:36, “Tabitha, (which interpreted, is called Dorcas,) this woman was full of good works and kind acts //alms// that she was doing;”
Giving has become one of the pillars of the Christian faith.
Giving of alms became closely related to prayer and fasting. Matthew 6 "Almsgiving is more than any sacrifice, though personal charity is superior even to almsgiving" (R. Eleazar, Suk. 49b)
Giving alms because a habit, a ritual, an obligation.
Jews were known to use tsedhaqah/righteousness as a meaning for alms. The Hebrew word is often translated as alms, such as here in Matthew 6.

The Scriptures (160)

Genesis 15:6; Genesis 18:19; Genesis 30:33

Deuteronomy 6:25; Deuteronomy 9:4-6; Deuteronomy 24:13; Deuteronomy 28:1-14

ane many more

The Second Writings (30)

Matthew 6:1-4

Mark 12:43

Luke 6:30; Luke 11:41; Luke 12:33; Luke 19:8; Luke 21:3

Acts 2:45; Acts 3:2-10; Acts 9:36; Acts 10:2-4; Acts 10:31; Acts 12:25; Acts 24:17

Romans 4:3-9; Romans 4:22; Romans 12:8; Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 8:4-10; 2 Corinthians 9:12

James 2:23