“There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, “Please come as soon as possible!” – Acts 9:36-38
Over the last few weeks on Friday, we have been looking at various people from the Bible who are not that well-known, but who provide an example, a model, for us of faith, trust, courage, perseverance, and conviction. People that we can learn from. Such is the case with Tabitha.
Tabitha was a believer. She followed Jesus’s teachings about how to treat others. She made clothes for the widows and the poor. She always did good and helped those in need. She obviously had taken to heart the Law of Moses that said, “If one of your fellow Israelites falls into poverty and cannot support himself, support him as you would a foreigner or a temporary resident and allow him to live with you” (Leviticus 25:35).
Then, suddenly, Tabitha got sick and died. Two men were sent to urge Peter to come to Joppa. Tabitha was placed upstairs in preparation for burial, and her friends and the widows were there mourning her passing. When Peter arrived, the women were crying, and they showed him the clothes Tabitha had made for them. Clearly, Tabitha was beloved in the community and had given herself consistently to all—specifically to the least among them—with generosity of spirit and her material gifts. She gave, expecting nothing in return. She gave to those who could not pay or repay. These were women who had no means of support for themselves, women who were overlooked, vulnerable women. She had clothed the widows.
Peter sent them all out of the room. He got on his knees and prayed. He turned to her and said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes and sat up. Peter called for all of them to come back, and he presented a living Tabitha to them. Her coming back to life became known throughout Joppa, and many more people believed in the Lord. In this story, we encounter a faithful believer who helped others and received God’s help when she needed it.
Throughout her life, Tabitha improved the lives of the people around her. She saw that someone had to help and that things needed to be done, so she stepped up and served others. Tabitha demonstrated tangible love for others by meeting their needs with the gifts she had. She made them clothing, and she cared for them.
As we seek to love others with God’s love, we might be tempted to overcomplicate things. Serving the community may seem overwhelming, but it isn’t. Tabitha teaches us that we love others by using our gifts for God’s glory, no matter what those gifts are. We may not be able to make clothes, but God has given us unique gifts that will bless others if we step out in faithfulness.
Discussion Questions:
- Who has been a Tabitha in your life?
- How might God be calling you to meet needs in your community?