The term "dole" in a biblical context is not directly mentioned in the Scriptures; however, the concept of providing for the needy and distributing resources to those in need is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. The idea of a "dole" can be understood as the act of giving or distributing food, money, or other necessities to the poor and needy, aligning with the biblical principles of charity, generosity, and social justice.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Law of Moses includes numerous provisions for the care of the poor and needy. For instance, Leviticus 19:9-10 instructs, "When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner; I am the LORD your God." This commandment reflects the principle of leaving a portion of one's resources for those in need, akin to a form of "dole."

The concept of the "year of release" or the Sabbatical Year, as described in Deuteronomy 15:1-11, also emphasizes the importance of generosity and provision for the poor. Every seventh year, debts were to be forgiven, and the land was to rest, allowing the poor to gather what grew naturally. Verse 11 states, "For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the early Christian community exemplified the practice of sharing resources and providing for those in need. Acts 2:44-45 describes the early believers: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This communal sharing reflects the spirit of a "dole," where resources are distributed to ensure that no one lacks necessities.

Jesus Himself taught about the importance of caring for the poor and needy. In Matthew 25:35-40 , He speaks of the final judgment, where acts of kindness towards the "least of these" are equated with serving Christ Himself: "For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in."

Theological Implications

The biblical mandate to care for the poor and distribute resources to those in need is rooted in the character of God, who is described as compassionate and just. Proverbs 19:17 states, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." This verse underscores the belief that acts of charity are not only moral obligations but also acts of worship and service to God.

The practice of giving and sharing, akin to a "dole," is seen as a reflection of God's generosity and a means of demonstrating love and compassion to others. It is a tangible expression of the commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31).

Practical Application

In contemporary Christian practice, the concept of a "dole" can be seen in various forms of charitable work, such as food banks, financial assistance programs, and other outreach efforts aimed at alleviating poverty and meeting the needs of the less fortunate. These efforts are often motivated by the biblical call to serve and uplift those who are marginalized and in need, continuing the legacy of generosity and care that is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative.1. (n.) grief; sorrow; lamentation.

2. (n.) See Dolus.

3. (n.) Distribution; dealing; apportionment.

4. (n.) That which is dealt out; a part, share, or portion also, a scanty share or allowance.

5. (n.) Alms; charitable gratuity or portion.

6. (n.) A boundary; a landmark.

7. (n.) A void space left in tillage.

8. (v. t.) To deal out in small portions; to distribute, as a dole; to deal out scantily or grudgingly.

5595. psomizo -- to feed with morsels
... to feed with morsels. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: psomizo Phonetic Spelling:
(pso-mid'-zo) Short Definition: I feed, dole out Definition: I feed, dole ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5595.htm - 6k1419. gadol -- great
... 1418, 1419. gadol. 1420 . great. Transliteration: gadol Phonetic Spelling:
(gaw-dole') Short Definition: great. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/1419.htm - 6k

4024. Migdol -- a city on the NE border of Egypt
... Migdol or Migdol. 4025 . a city on the NE border of Egypt. Transliteration: Migdol
or Migdol Phonetic Spelling: (mig-dole') Short Definition: Migdol. ...
/hebrew/4024.htm - 6k

Arrival at Benares.
... I was told these were beggars, who came every Lord's-day to receive a dole, either
pice or dry grain, from the missionary and his wife, and who listened very ...
/.../chapter iii arrival at benares.htm

The Judgment on the City
... Fourthly, the Imperial dole of bread to the poor, which was distributed at Antioch,
as at Rome and Constantinople, was henceforth to be stopped. ...
/.../chapter vii the judgment on.htm

The Sacred Name Jesus Most Suited to the Christ of the Creator. ...
... Now if he caught at the name Christ, just as the pickpocket clutches the dole-basket,
why did he wish to be called Jesus too, by a name which was not so much ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xvi the sacred name jesus.htm

Whether Alms Should be Given in Abundance?
... Objection 2: Further, Ambrose says (De Officiis i, 30): "We should not lavish our
wealth on others all at once, we should dole it out by degrees." But to give ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether alms should be given.htm

Letter D
... Received 1828, Located 1836 * Dodson, Nathan "Received 1813 * Dodson, Thomas "Received
1797, Located 1803 * Dogget, David S. "Received 1829 * Dole, John W ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter d.htm

A Liberal Church
... Perhaps, feeling that they cannot well do otherwise, they dole out a sum
far smaller than they often spend for needless indulgence. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 32 a liberal church.htm

The Sinner's Friend
... We know of a place in England still existing, where there is a dole of
bread served to every passer-by who chooses to ask for it. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the sinners friend.htm

The Sweetness of Tears
... It had even conferred powers on him wider than municipal powers. The truth is that
Romanianus did not dole out his benefactions to his fellow-citizens. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iv the sweetness of tears.htm

Private Property and the Common Good
... It creates semi-human relations between social classes, so that a small dole seems
to be a full discharge of obligations toward the poor, and manly ...
/.../the social principles of jesus/chapter viii private property and.htm

Whether Poverty is Required for Religious Perfection?
... a sacrifice." Wherefore Jerome also says (Contra Vigilant.): "When you declare that
those do better who retain the use of their possessions, and dole out the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether poverty is required for.htm

Dole (2 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A void space left in tillage. 8. (vt) To deal out in small portions; to
distribute, as a dole; to deal out scantily or grudgingly. ...Dole (2 Occurrences). ...
/d/dole.htm - 7k

Flames (54 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Corinthians 13:3 If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if
I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing. ...
/f/flames.htm - 22k

Doleful (2 Occurrences)

/d/doleful.htm - 8k

Dok

/d/dok.htm - 7k

Profits (19 Occurrences)
... (WEB DBY). 1 Corinthians 13:3 If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if
I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing. ...
/p/profits.htm - 12k

Pittance (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A small allowance or wage; an allowance of food
bestowed in charity; a mess of victuals; hence, a small charity gift; a dole. ...
/p/pittance.htm - 6k

Burned (587 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 13:3 If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my
body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing. ...
/b/burned.htm - 37k

Surrender (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 13:3 If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my
body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing. (See NAS NIV). ...
/s/surrender.htm - 13k

Profit (143 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 13:3 If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my
body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing. ...
/p/profit.htm - 35k

Feed (117 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 13:3 If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my
body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing. ...
/f/feed.htm - 39k

What does the Bible say about work? | GotQuestions.org

Dole: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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