Dorcas was a woman who lived a life of service. Let's not belittle any act of service one does for another through pure motives. But in these few lines, let's challenge the thought which encourages folks to only look for a random good deed to do each day. Instead, think of a life which has placed serving others as such a high priority that planning, dedication, sacrifice and success are all elements of ones life. Perhaps there is an area of gray or judgment to be made, but let's study the one verse which describes Dorcas' life and see which one seems to best describe her.
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. Acts 9:36
She was a member of the Lord's church who did "good works." She did good works to the point her life was "full" of them. Full means it is not possible to contain more.
She fulfilled needs through charitable deeds. "Alms deeds" or "charitable deeds" are acts of service we do in addition to the gift we offer to the Lord each Sunday. Notice the scriptures record the benevolent service as the kind of life which she lived. It is what "she did." Golfing may be what someone does. Flying, farming or accounting may be what you do. But in service to God and others, what is it that you do? We have folks here who give so much of their life to a ministry we could comfortably say, that is what they do. The teddy bear ministry is what Patty Willoughby does. Jail ministry is what Lori Richards does. Reaching out to visitors is what Lawrence Gammon does. Jack Cronk, Sr. helps at VBS, that is what he does! All of these ministries are greatly effected by the participation of the ones mentioned above. Not because they have found random things to do, but because they plan to make a difference for the glory of God. Instead of doing enough to relieve the conscience, let's set a higher standard which says, I want to help this person or ministry long term. I want to make a lasting difference for the glory of God.
After striving to make this point recently in a sermon the following e-mail was received from Terri Thompson.
David,
I don't know if I ever told you this or not but I wanted to share a little story.�
�
My aunt was married to a military man who abandoned her and three small children.� Struggling to survive, she moved back to Tennessee. She attended services at Old Hickory Church of Christ.� A nice couple started coming over to her house EVERY Sunday morning to help her get her three kids ready for church.� I don't know how long this went on but it made a big difference in the life of my aunt and her three children.� The kind couple was Horace and Lucille Garrett.� I just thought about how they LOOKED for ways to serve others.� It is easier to think of helping someone after they got to church but they looked deep to see a need and fulfilled it in such as sweet way.� What good examples they both were to us.� Thought you would enjoy this story.
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The late Horace and Lucille Garrett raised four daughters who followed in their faithful steps of service. Tawanda Travis and Katy Whiteaker are two of their daughters which bless many lives today with their hospitality, service, and faith.
The story of Dorcas isn't about a lady who did everything. It is about a lady who apparently devoted her life wholly to clothing widows. What a huge difference she made. Don't you want to leave this life being a "difference maker for God!" Let's do it!