In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Acts 9:36-42
“Luke describes her as “full of good works and acts of mercy,” where the sense is that her life had been devoted to these things. Her loss was deeply felt by the Christian community…The widows were there showing him the garments that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. The participle in the middle voice implies that the widows were actually exhibiting the clothes on themselves.”
David J. Williams in Acts (UBCS; Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011).
The exploration of the 70 inspired me to look at other names in the early church in the New Testament to see how their ordinary lives exhibit an extraordinary testimony of devotion to Jesus Christ.
Take Dorcas for instance. Many would label her insignificant. Her focus was serving widows. In antiquity, widows were forgotten women, and they had few rights. Most suffered a lonely and impoverished existence.
But not the widows around Dorcas. They were styling because of her generosity. What wares do you make that you could share with others? Clothing? Cookies? Whatever you make, devote yourself to sharing it generously.
God sees our devotion, especially the care we show to the least among us.