If you want a helpful overview of "A Biblical Theology of Poverty and Almsgiving"
check out T. David Gordon's paper. (HT: (HT: Matthew Hall)
Dr. Gordon's biblical theology is broken down into four sections:
I. Poverty and Almsgiving in the Adamic Administration
II. Poverty and Almsgiving in the Patriarchal Era
III. Poverty and Almsgiving in the Sinai Covenant
IV. Poverty and Almsgiving in the New Covenant
He then suggests "seven principles that characterize Christian understanding of poverty and almsgiving":
1. All belongs to God, the Creator; we are merely stewards.
2. Where Your Treasure Is
3. The Snare of Earthly Riches
4. The Poor You Have With You Always
5. The Christian’s Tri-fold Duty to Family, Church, and Society
6. God’s Providence Determines Our Duty
7. The Church’s Duty: Diaconal Relief of Poor Saints
There are some very helpful thoughts on the inapplicability of the Levitical tithes in the new covenant, and the fact that "the state in its totalitarian form is the enemy of true almsgiving, and not an efficient friend of the poor."
