Sewing for the Saviour

“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.”

Acts 9:36 [KJV]

How skilled are you at sewing? Are you an experienced dressmaker? Can you sew a little? Or are you the person who says, “It would be a useful skill to learn, but…”?

I was recently trying to alter a second-hand dress. I wanted to take the dress in at the sides and add length to the hemline. However, my inexperience and the slippery, fraying fabric made the task quite difficult. With help from my sister, a useful tool called a seam ripper, and a lot of resewing, I eventually achieved what I wanted. But oh, was I glad sewing is neither my source of income nor a main ministry!

However, the Bible records the story of a woman who had sewing as a ministry. She literally sewed for the Saviour. Her name was Dorcas, also known by her Hebrew name of Tabitha, and her story is found in Acts 9:36-43. This passage records details of Dorcas’ character, good deeds, death, and miraculous resurrection involving the Apostle Peter. Today, I want to focus on some things we can learn from Dorcas about doing good works.

Firstly, Dorcas was a disciple of Christ (Acts 9:36). Catholics and cults wrongly teach that good works help people earn entry to heaven. But the Bible says the opposite. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Once saved, though, we are called and enabled to do good works. Ephesians 2 continues, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (v10). In Acts 9:36, the word ‘disciple’ translates to ‘female pupil or learner’. This means Dorcas was a saved woman. Her good works were evidence of her faith (James 2:18) and desire to please God (Hebrews 13:16). The term disciple also means that Dorcas was an ongoing follower of Christ. Earlier in Acts 9, we read of Saul’s vicious persecution against the church. Saul was converted, but the chief priests and others continued to persecute Christians. Associating with other Christians could cost you your life, yet Dorcas was a valued, active member of the church. She was known for good works (v 36), and the disciples and widows she helped were devastated by her premature death (v 38 – 39). A heart for God and others is the only right motivation for doing good works!

Secondly, Dorcas was full of good works and almsdeeds (v36). She wasn’t the sort of person who only attended church services, or who had to be begged to help out. No, she overflowed with good works, and a person who would “spend and be spent” in labours for others like the Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 12:15). She lived out Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” What a challenge to those of us who prefer our own comfort over serving others!

Thirdly, Dorcas had a heart for others. Dorcas wasn’t motivated by what benefit she could gain for herself. She helped those who could not repay her – the widows and the saints. At the time, there was no public welfare system, few ways for women to earn income, and widespread discrimination against Christians, so those Dorcas helped would have been amongst the poorest of the land. She clearly believed the sentiment of Acts 20:35, “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive”.

Fourthly, Dorcas was observant. She saw the need for coats and garments. There were no modern heating systems, and poor people might not be able to afford fuel for a fire. A warm coat that doubled as a blanket could be the difference between life and death during a freezing cold winter. Unlike Dorcas, I’m not good at observing people’s needs, so I spent some time thinking about what blinds us to seeing other’s needs. Part of the issue can be that we are too focused on ourselves – our wants, our lives, our friends, our family (Philippians 2:4). But other times, people – especially servant-hearted people – are so busy rushing round trying to help everybody, that they reach a point where they have no physical, emotional or spiritual capacity to discern the critical needs God wants them to focus on. In such cases, saying ‘no’ to helping in one situation, enables the ‘Dorcas’ be a good steward of her body, and frees her to see and address needs in other situations.

Fifthly, Dorcas was practical. In James 2:15-16, the apostle severely criticises his readers for their lack of practical action: “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” Dorcas didn’t just observe the need, she did something about it. When we see a need, we must trust the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5) to know how to meet that need. In Acts 9:39, it says Dorcas made the coats and garments herself. She was willingly to get involved directly – not just give money or let someone else know about the issue. We must be willing to be involved too. This might mean giving time and energy in practical labour. It might mean bearing one another’s burdens – especially emotionally – as we listen to and encourage someone going through trials (Galatians 6:2). It means knowing Scripture so we can give a word in season to one who is weary (Isaiah 50:4). It might be preparing a meal, sewing something, sharing advice, helping look after someone’s children, or something as simple as giving a cup of water in Jesus’ name (Mark 9:41). But it will always involve praying for the person, because who is better at supplying people’s needs than our great God (Philippians 4:19)?

Lastly, Dorcas was loved. Dorcas seems to be single or a widow, because there is no mention of a husband or children. Family would traditionally be involved in mourning and burial, but here the disciples wash her body and the widows mourn her death. Additionally, Peter presents her alive to the saints and widows. But Dorcas was loved deeply. We see this in the urgency in which the saints send for Peter, and the widows’ wailing. Dorcas’ testimony is an encouragement to all of us who are (and may always be) single and/or childless. We can find love and family through the church. We can find fulfilment and joy in serving God. Truly, “no good thing will [the LORD] withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11b).

This week, may the Lord help us to be more like Tabitha, and to be disciples full of good works and almsdeeds.