Devotion / Serving others

Meet Tabitha

Tabitha was a very special person. Although mentioned in only a few verses of the Bible, we learn that Tabitha used her talents in a special way.

Little is told us about Tabitha’s past. We don’t know where she grew up or what her childhood was like. We first read about her in Acts 9:36: In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.

Her story is short, but her life was far from insignificant. Tabitha wasn’t a famous battle warrior. She didn=t preach to crowds or impress royalty. Yet when we look at how she spent her time, we find the beauty of this godly woman. Tabitha’s days were filled with the simple and silent task of sewing clothes for the poor.

Tabitha’s legacy

Tabitha died, and she was greatly missed. The work she did was noticed, and the church was left with an empty place where Tabitha once served. When the Apostle Peter heard that she died, he hurried to Joppa. When he arrived, the Bible says that he saw: The robes and other clothing that Tabitha had made while she was still with them (Acts 9:39).

Every stitch in those robes was a quiet sermon by Tabitha. Each tailored masterpiece was a tribute to God’s grace and mercy, and it was by that grace that Peter took Tabitha by the hand and helped her sit up after her brief sleep.

Within moments Tabitha was alive again. God decided that her work was not yet finished. What a wonderful miracle! Imagine her looking at the crowd of mourners, pointing her thimbled finger, and saying, “Enough standing around. We have work to do!”

Quietly serving the Lord

Tabitha was a quiet Christian. She didn’t expect to be rewarded or treated like a special person. She was content to simply go about her work.

As God’s children, we should all be like Tabitha, faithfully doing those things that the Lord wants us to do. That may be as commonplace as sewing robes for the poor, helping our neighbors, praying for those in need, or befriending the lonely. Her love reflected the great love Jesus has for us.

We don’t need rewards or special thanks. All we need is a heart like Tabitha’s. The world may not notice Tabithas, but Jesus does: Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40).

By Reynold R. Kremer