Tabitha, or rather Dorcas, has become well-known among believers, as one who helped to alleviate the sufferings of the poor by providing for some of their needs. Let us examine her history and see what instruction the Spirit of God intended for us.
Good Works
In the first place, we notice that her activity was not confined to clothing the naked. “This woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did” (Acts 9:3636Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. (Acts 9:36)). This is a wonderful memorial for a saint of God. It was recorded by the unerring pen of the Holy Spirit, and, therefore, those good works could only have been produced in the energy of the Spirit of God. It is profitable to remind ourselves of what are really good works. We have been taught the danger of restless activity and occupation with service, and we have been led to admire the good part which Mary chose (Luke 10:4242But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42)). However, we would also remember the words of Paul, “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men” (Titus 3:88This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (Titus 3:8)). Philanthropic efforts of many kinds are often dignified with the title of “good works” and deceive many simple souls, but good works — those that are such before God — can only flow from the power of the Holy Spirit, and therefore in accordance with His mind and will. They can thus be done only by believers, and only by believers as animated by divine power and in subjection to the Word of God.
Rich in Good Works
The “almsdeeds” of Dorcas are recorded as well as her good works. No doubt these consisted in the ministration of money or food to those that were in need. Paul, writing to Timothy, says, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal [rather, on that which is really] life” (1 Tim. 6:1719). Dorcas acted in the spirit of this exhortation. She was rich in good works, and she was ready to distribute, willing to communicate of her substance. She had learned “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). By that same grace she had become His representative in the world.
Beneficiaries
The objects of her ministry are distinctly specified. When Peter arrived and entered the chamber of death, we read that “all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them” (Acts 9:3939Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. (Acts 9:39)). We note also that these widows are distinguished from the saints (vs. 41). It may well be that she labored for widows as a class, and her charitable activities were not solely expended upon believing widows. As one who knew the heart and mind of God, she sought to minister to need wherever it might exist, while owning the special claims of the household of faith.
It is clear that Dorcas had the mind of God in the work to which she was devoted. What service could be more blessed than to clothe the naked and feed the hungry? The Lord Himself, in the judgment of the living nations, when He shall sit on the throne of His glory, speaks of these kinds of things as services rendered to Himself in the person of His “brethren.” He says, “I was an hungred, and ye gave Me meat . . . naked, and ye clothed Me” (Matt. 25:3536). This, as He explains, done unto one of the least of His brethren, was done to Himself. How unspeakable then the privilege to feed and clothe Christ in the person of one of His members!
Individual Work
Several lessons may be learned from the account of Dorcas. First, it should be observed that the work of Dorcas was individual. There is not the slightest trace of any association with others. Evidently it was the special service to which the Lord had called her and to which she willingly yielded herself. Her example cannot, therefore, be cited for anything beyond her individual line of service. Nothing is more blessed in Christian activity than fellowship—fellowship in the Lord. But the great danger of a day like this is association — association with others to obtain an object through the energy of cooperation rather than in the power of the Spirit. Satan often succeeds in this way in arresting even what might have been at the outset the action of the Spirit of God. The Lord may have laid some special thought of service upon the heart of one of His people. However, instead of going forth to its accomplishment in the power of Him who has called to it, the effort is often made to associate others with it, or even to form a society for the end in view. Immediately the service, even if outwardly prosperous, is on the road to failure. Moses may well be a warning to us here. He complained to the Lord that the burden of the people was too heavy for him. The Lord permitted him to have seventy associates, but He took of the Spirit that was on Moses and put it on them (Num. 11:11-1711And Moses said unto the Lord, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favor in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? 12Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? 13Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. 14I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. 15And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favor in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. 16And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. 17And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone. (Numbers 11:11‑17)). There was no gain of power by the association, for the Lord had given to him all the power he needed to do the work appointed to him. Service is intensely individual, for every servant is individually responsible to the Lord. He cannot afford to subordinate his convictions to those of another or to seek to walk upon the level of another’s faith (be it higher or lower).
Leisure Time
Second, this history affords distinct guidance for sisters as to the occupation of their leisure time in their homes. It is to be noted very specially that if Dorcas spent any of her time in fancy-work (and surely she had liberty to do so), the results of her labor in such a direction are not mentioned. It is “the coats and the garments” only that find a place in the Word of God — teaching us that it is labors of this kind that command the Lord’s approbation. Her loss was so keenly felt by the disciples that they sent for Peter, “desiring that he would not delay to come to them.” The Apostle went and was permitted to restore her to life, and “when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive” (vs. 41). Thus the Lord interposed at the cry of His people and comforted their hearts.
Christ the Object
A last instruction may be added, namely, that the work of Dorcas was for cases of need. There is some danger of our seeking to gratify ourselves in ministry of a Dorcas character — of expending our efforts upon selected cases, or of choosing such as commend themselves to us in one way or another, so that it will often happen that the needs of some of the poor saints are abundantly met, while those of others are almost entirely overlooked. The antidote is to have Christ Himself before us as the object of our ministry, remembering that as it was not our merit but our necessities that drew forth His heart in service for us, so likewise the only incentive to our loving ministry to His own should be their needs. In other words, all our service must be drawn forth by the constraining love of Christ. It is possible to bestow all our goods to feed the poor and yet to be without divine love (1 Cor. 13), and hence without any promptings of the heart of Christ. Christ must be the motive, Christ must be the object, and Christ must be expressed in all our service.
E. Dennett, adapted from
The Christian Friend, 1881