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Articles
“While She Was With Them”
In Acts 9:36-42 we learn of a disciple named Tabitha, an Aramaic name which translates into the Greek name Dorcas. We do not know a lot about this disciple of the Lord, but we can learn much from what little we know.
We learn about how Dorcas benefited others “while she was with them” (:39). At her death the weeping widows could show tunics and garments which Dorcas had made for them. Others did not have to wait until she was dead and they received an inheritance from her to benefit from her. She did her giving while she was living.
In contrast to Dorcas is the rich fool found in Luke 12:16-21 who did his giving in dying (:20). Jesus says that anyone is foolish “who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (:21). Sometimes we all need to be reminded that “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15). Will others be able to bring things to our funeral or only take things from it? Are we worth more to others dead or alive?
Dorcas was “full of good works and charitable deeds,” always doing good (Acts 9:36). She made good works a regular part of her life. She did more than just charitable giving, but also charitable living.
Dorcas found something she could do to help others and did it. She was obviously a gifted seamstress and used that talent to help others (Acts 9:39). What talent(s) do you have? What can you do to help others? Are you using in His service the ability that God has given you? Remember that you can only use it while you are alive.
Dorcas lived in such a way that her works while living would follow her when she died. Peter raised her from the dead, but she had lived in such a way that she was ready to stand before God in judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10). God would not forget what she had done (Hebrews 6:10), and neither would those whom she served.
The world is in need of more people like Dorcas. Are you one of them? Are you using the blessings, talents, and life that God has given you to help those around you? How are you benefiting others while you are with them? Live in such a way that others will weep when you are gone.
