Showing Others That They Matter

Acts 9:36-42

(36) At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. (37) But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. (38) and since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. (39) Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. (40) But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. (41) Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. (42) And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.

Dorcas was a woman full of good works and charitable deeds. Using the gift God had given her, she sewed tunics and garments for those who were needy.

Not only was she giving them something lovely to wear but she probably changed their outlook on life. She may have changed the way they felt about themselves, and how they treated others as a result. Maybe her gift challenged their ideas about how much God really loved them.

This was a gift that brought physical, emotional, and spiritual healing to the people in Joppa.

Having a Bachelor’s degree in Art and Music, I understand what it is like to make or create something. A lot of your emotional energy goes into the creating of an object. When you are creating, generally there is something about the way that the object is made that is original to you. No one else can make it like you do. If I have really labored over something I have made, with the intent of giving it to someone, sometimes I feel a little sad that the object is going to my leave my possession. I have poured myself into the object for so long that it is like I am giving a piece of me away.

As a result, those individuals in Joppa mattered so much to her that she gave not only of her resources but of herself.

How is Dorcas an example of how to show others they matter?

It has to do with the condition of your heart.

Sometimes our generous deeds are driven by guilt. We think “we should” help so and so. Then when we take care of it and we no longer feel guilty. Problem solved. We have no more guilt. This is “self driven” behavior.

Real compassion for people will cause you discomfort. Your discomfort will compel you to ease their pain. You will have no peace until you have done something. This is “other driven” behavior.

Dorcas had compassion on the needy. Joppa was a city on the Mediterranean Sea. History reports that men were killed on the sea in wooden boats due to the storms, thus leaving women widowed. It may be that Dorcas was a widow herself. This was probably a common event and because she endured suffering herself, this may have created a deep compassion for others in her city.

If we are to be followers of Christ and want to try to be more like Christ, our behavior should be more like the life that Dorcas led, not “self driven” but “other driven.” We should be compelled by an authentic compassion to help others because they matter.

Looking at the life of Jesus, there is not one example anywhere where he was motivated by guilt. There is no place in the Bible where Jesus says “I guess I should really heal that blind mind man over there. I do have the time after all.” Part of the reason Jesus came was to heal because He didn’t want to see people suffer. This is my point.

1 John 2:6 “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” (ESV)

In verse 39, widows came and stood by Peter showing him the items which Dorcas had made for them. The widows were grieved that this woman who cared about them was gone.

Who would care for them now? Who would think that they mattered?

In verse 40, Peter prays for Dorcas and she is resurrected from the dead. As a result, her life, her death, and her resurrection was known through out the land and people believed on the Lord.

Dorcas wasn’t looking for praise. She was content to serve the Lord. She did all the good she could in all the ways she could. Her outward deeds were the result of her Christ-like compassion.

Her legacy lives on. Many churches today in America have Dorcas Societies that are missions to helping individuals who need clothes.

Photo taken by Lorraine