“This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.” Acts 9:36b
We don’t know much about Tabitha except in a few verses in Acts 9:36-43. But as we read her story we learn something. The work of our hands for the Lord always brings glory to God and blessings to us.
If you ask anyone who’s ever been on a mission trip, all of them will agree one one thing: mission team members all testify that they feel more blessed than those they may have blessed on their trip.
Serving on a mission team, whether it’s across the street or across the globe, is hard work. So is any work that glorifies God. We know that Tabitha was a hard worker, “This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds.”
Her friends were eager to show Peter all the tunics and garments Tabitha made. She crafted clothes with her hands that met the needs of many others. She was proactive, always looking for an opportunity to meet a need.
She was completely devoted to meeting the needs of someone else God put in her way.
It took discipline and devotion to accomplish her good works. If you’ve ever made a quilt or watched a talented seamstress sew garments, you know it takes incredible concentration, discipline and devotion to the task. Tabitha exhibited all those because she lived for a purpose beyond herself.
And because she did she drew others to her. We know from the text that widows were eager to show Peter all the works of Tabitha’s hands. They certainly must have admired Tabitha’s dedication and devotion which blessed those around her and brought glory to the Lord.
When you read about Tabitha’s work with her hands you realize something. She probably didn’t consider her devotion and dedication to her work as work at all. Her heart was no doubt filled with love and anticipation of the joy her work would soon bring to someone else.
Wouldn’t the body of Christ be a wonderful testimony to the glory of God if we all worked with our gifts and talents with the same dedication and devotion of Tabitha?
PRAYER: Father, we are so grateful for wonderfully devoted servants like Tabitha who brought so much comfort and joy to others with the work of her hands. May we learn from her the joy and blessings we will receive when we do the work You have given us with the same measure of dedication and devotion. Regardless of how big or how small the assignment You give us. In Jesus name. Amen.