Ever thought about why certain little tidbits are included in the Bible? As you can imagine, there was so much more that went on in those days, yet only certain stories got included in the Bible. As Christians, we believe that the Bible is God’s holy, inspired, specific Word (Truth) that provides hope, help and direction to us even today. So with that in mind, let’s think about the content of this short story of Tabitha. Without saying anything about Tabitha’s wealth, Luke tells us that she was a great doer. Like Jesus exampled during His earthly ministry, Tabitha was recognized and known as a believer – so I believe that her faith was evident to others, and that she was not one to just gel into the crowd and do what the crowd did. She was also known as a doer of good works and helped the poor. Unfortunately in today’s ministries, we are great at words and beautiful and comfortable edifices in which to worship, but often empty and barren in good works and meeting the needs of others. 

As believers, we are not doers of the gospel in order to be recognized for it. In fact, I get embarrassed if recognized for something I did in Jesus’ name, for it is to Him that I would rather the praise be given. However, at the end of the day, or at the end of our earthly life, what are some of the characteristics that we might be remembered for? Does our testimony speak to others? Does our works bear testimony of the One in whom we believe? I intend to attend the funeral of a dear friend today, and as Tabitha was recognized, I believe that she was also recognized – a believer and a doer! Thank God for people like that! Dear Jesus, I pray that I would daily live like that, in desiring no personal praise, but that You may be glorified, and that You may be recognized by the lost in and through my Godly actions.