“Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died…” (Acts 9:36-37 ESV).

This beautiful story ends the ninth chapter of Acts and provides a lesson for Christian women of all ages. It is the story of a life of service.

As was the custom at a death, the ladies washed the body of their friend and laid her in an upper room. An upper room would be quieter and more secluded than a place on the lower floor.

The church members heard that Peter was in nearby Joppa, and they sent two men to accompany him back to Lydda. They told him not to delay but to come quickly.

What Peter saw when he arrived must have been quite a sight. All the widows stood beside the place where they had placed the body of Dorcas. They showed Peter the clothing Dorcas had made for them, and they wept for this woman whom they obviously loved.

The scripture tells us that Peter sent everyone out of the room, knelt and prayed, and said, “Tabitha, arise.” She immediately opened her eyes and sat up.

In six short verses, we know everything we need to know about this woman.

• We know that she was a Christian, because verse 36 tells us that she was a disciple.
• We know that she performed good works.
• She became sick and died.
• The widows of the local church (and maybe the community) depended on her for clothing.
• She was brought back to life by a miracle performed by Peter, an apostle.

I have told this story many times to my Bible classes. With the younger classes I like to have them do some craft to remind them of the story. We make sewing cards or color pictures of Dorcas making clothing for the widows. The idea is to reinforce doing good deeds for others. Then we talk about all the ways we can serve those around us.

This is most certainly part of the meaning of this story, but there is so much more to it. This was not about doing some good deed occasionally, maybe helping out in a pinch, sewing a few dresses for children in a mission field, or donating some clothing that you just don’t want anymore. This is about a way of life.

Dorcas was known for her good works. It was in her character to do for others. It was how she was remembered when she died.

It is God’s plan that when we become Christians, we should walk in or practice good works. They should become part of who we are as Christians. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

In order to be pleasing to the Lord, Colossians 1:10 says we should bear fruit in every good work and increase in the knowledge of God. Doing good for others helps the Christian to grow.

When we do good works, we are presenting ourselves as models for Christianity. Titus 2:7-8 says, “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.”

Teaching without showing is completely worthless. Telling people we love God and His church means nothing if we don’t do for others. What if you told your children or your husband that you loved them, but you never did anything for them? Do you think they would believe you love them? Of course they wouldn’t.

Doing for others opens the door for teaching. If we want to teach others, we must first show our love for them by doing for them. We will bless their lives, and God will bless us.

Sandra Oliver