Question III: Whether almsgiving is a matter of precept

I assert that Almsgiving is commanded by Natural and Divine law.

IT IS PROVED by D. Thom. here, and D. Bonavent. in the Diaeta, tit. 10, cap. 5. That concerning which there will be the last judgment, and on account of which Christ will distribute eternal rewards and eternal punishments, is commanded; but in the judgment those who have given alms will be called to the fatherland; and those who have omitted it will be cast into hell, as is described Matt. 25. Therefore.

IT IS PROVED secondly by D. Thom. here, and D. Bonavent. on these words Luke 11: That which remains over, give as alms, and in 3. dist. 29, quaest. 6, because love of neighbor is commanded; therefore those things must fall under command without which love of neighbor is not preserved; but to love of neighbor it pertains that we not only wish good to our neighbor, but also work it, according to that, 1 John 3: let us not love in word, nor in tongue, but in deed and in truth. But for this, that we wish and work the good of someone, it is required that we come to the aid of his necessity, which is done through the bestowal of alms; and therefore their bestowal is commanded. But because commands are given concerning acts of virtues, it is necessary that in this way the gift of Almsgiving fall under command as it is of the necessity of virtue, as right reason requires; yet on the part of the giver, so as to give of his superfluities, according to that cited Luke 11 — his superfluity, I say, and that of others whose care rests upon him. On the part of the recipient also some necessity is required: hence Paul said 2 Cor. 8: For it is not that there may be relief for others, and tribulation for you, as the Seraphic Doctor notes on Luke 11, because if you, or yours, have necessity, you ought not bring tribulation upon yourselves so as to come to the aid of another, except in that person's extreme necessity, if yours be moderate. See D. Bonavent. in the places cited, and D. Thom. art. 6, Valencia p. 4. By the law of nature also the command stands in that Matt. 7: whatsoever you wish that men do to you, do you also to them.

See the Encomia of Almsgiving in D. Bonavent. there, and Book 2 of the Pharetra, cap. 39, which Valencia accepts disp. 3, quaest. 9, p. 1.

The Seraphic Doctor observes moreover in the places alleged, quaest. 2, that the burial of the dead is not enumerated in Matt. 25; nevertheless it is a work of mercy enumerated Tobias 4 and 12. Whence D. Ambrose, Book on Tobias, cap. 1: If the law commands to cover the naked while living, how much more ought we to cover the bodies of the dead. Nothing is more excellent than this, to vindicate from birds and beasts the sharer of our nature.

IT IS PROVED also by S. Bonavent. in the places alleged, and S. Thom. art. 2, ad 1, because great is the honor to the dead of burial; burial; and great is the punishment, to lie unburied; and not less than to expose one's nakedness while living. Which reason was made known by D. August. lib. de cura pro mortuis, cap. 7. Valencia disp. 3, quaest. 9, p. 2. Bannes article 2.

It is proved finally concerning the other alms, Prov. 21: he that stops his ear against the cry of the poor, he shall cry himself and shall not be heard, and 1 John 3: he that hath the substance of this world, and shall see his brother in need, and shall shut up his bowels from him; how doth the charity of God abide in him? The same attest Cyprian serm. de eleemosyna, Ambrose lib. de Nabuthe, cap. 22. Basil on that saying of the rich man: I will destroy my barns. Nazianzen on the love of the poor. See Valencia puncto 4, where he observes that John says: and shall see; for if he is ignorant, he is excused, as the Doctors also commonly note.

Since however this command is affirmative, not obliging always, many questions arise as to the time in which it obliges.

I shall suppose, moreover, some certain ones. First, in extreme necessity this command of coming to the aid of the needy presses. But extreme necessity is understood not only of imminent death; but also of a grave imminent peril to life, as Valencia notes with Medina de eleemosyna, quaest. 3. Navar. in the Manual. cap. 24. In this indeed we must give alms even from things belonging to the decency of one's state, which do not stand in an indivisible, but admit breadth, as D. Thom. teaches art. 6, Sylvester under the word almsgiving, num. 2, and others with Tannero disp. 2, quaest. 5, dub. 2. That alms are to be given in extreme need to one in need of them for one's state, the Doctors teach: So D. Bonav. in the places cited, D. Thom. art. 5. Ioan. Medina tract. de eleemosyna, quaest. 3, where he says it is the common and certain opinion of the Doctors.

It is proved, because by the order of charity you are held more to the life of your neighbor than to your own means: whence runs that saying: Feed him dying of hunger; if you have not fed him, you have killed him, which saying they ascribe to S. Ambrose de offic. Gratian disp. 86, can. Pasce. And D. Thom. art. 5. For the rest see Valencia. Now I shall adduce some disputed questions.