Dorcas, Relentless in Sharing Christ in Word and Deed

What are you known for doing?

I have a friend who is known for taking homemade bread to anyone who is sick. A neighbor is known by many people because he can fix anything. A couple in my church is known for the missions trips they lead.

Dorcas was a Christ follower who was known for doing good works and helping the poor. The Scripture calls her by both her Greek name, Dorcas, and her Aramaic name, Tabitha.

Acts 9:36–43 tells of the miraculous event in which Dorcas was raised from the dead through the power of the Holy Spirit. In verse 36, we learn “she was always doing good and helping the poor.”

Dorcas must have been much loved by the other Christians in Joppa, because at her death they sent for Peter to come from the nearby town of Lydda. When Peter arrived, the widows were crying over her death. They showed Peter the clothing Dorcas made before she died. She may have made these robes and cloaks for the widows themselves, who were counted among the needy. After Dorcas was brought back to life, many people heard her story and believed in the Lord.

Dorcas serves as an example of one who shared her faith in Christ through her good deeds for others. People were impacted by her life because of the care she showed to them. These few words in this passage about Dorcas can inspire us to be relentless in sharing Christ in word and deed.

Make what you are known for doing count for Christ and His kingdom. Maybe you sew like Dorcas, bake like my friend, are handy with a tool, or teach preschoolers in your church. Use these words and deeds as ways of sharing your faith and telling others of Jesus’ love for us.

Pray:

Dear God, help me to be one who shares about You in word and deed. Take the things that I am known for doing, and use these to bring glory to You. As I teach preschoolers, open my eyes to the needs that I can help to meet. In Jesus’ name, amen.