Abounding with Deeds of Kindness and Charity
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July 15, 2012 |
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 "Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. ... But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, 'Tabitha, arise.' And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up." (Acts 9:36-37, 40)
Rockefeller, named 'the king of oil' was once told that he would die in a year due to cancer at the age of 54. His mother, who was a sincere Christian, advised him to give all he had to the poor and live as a philanthropist. He obeyed and unsparingly gave everything to the poor, yet he felt happy. Then, his health was recovered and could live until the age of 98.
Among the biblical figures was a disciple named Tabitha who was also abounding with deeds of kindness and charity. God delighted in her deeds and blessed her to be revived from death. What kinds of deeds did she show that could move God's heart and enabled her to experience such an amazing miracle?
1. Tabitha was revived due to deeds of kindness and charity
Tabitha who was also called Dorcas lived in Joppa which was a port city. At that time, there were serious persecutions of churches and believers in Jerusalem. As a result, many believers were scattered out in all directions, and some believers settled down in Joppa so it became a Christian area.
Considering the situation of the time, it was not easy for the people to have faith. A lot of people were beaten and imprisoned just because they were Christians. And some of them were stoned to death while preaching the gospel like Deacon Stephen. Some of them were expelled from the synagogue. Believers in Jesus Christ were ostracized by Jews as well as their freedom was taken away because Israel was under the control of the Roman Empire.
It was usually not easy to keep faith in such a difficult situation. But Tabitha, although she was a woman, preached the gospel diligently and did good all the time without sparing her life. She helped widows, the poor, and the neglected with deeds of kindness and charity.
In the meantime, Tabitha died of a disease. Then, those who had received help from her asked God to revive her. They believed that God the Almighty can revive even the dead. At the right time, they heard that the apostle Peter, who manifested the power of God, was going to be in the vicinity, and sent a man and asked him to come to them.
When Peter arrived at Joppa, all widows cried and showed all the tunics and garments that Tabitha used to make for them. The reason Tabitha could receive such love from such many people was because she had done good from the bottom of her heart.
Some might ask, "Tabitha worked faithfully for God and acted in goodness. So, why did she die of a disease?" Of course, if we keep the Word of God, none of diseases will come upon us as written in Exodus 15:26. But if you don't follow the physical order and lead an irregular life, you cannot be protected by God because it is not right in His sight.
Tabitha didn't eat and sleep properly to help the poor widows, so she became weak and came down with the illness. But God clearly showed how much He was pleased by deeds of kindness and charity by reviving Tabitha from death.
2. God-pleasing deeds of kindness
There are many other ways to do good aside from charitable works. You can pray for the church, pastors, and church members. You can preach the gospel with love for souls, which is one of the good deeds. You can volunteer for God's works with thanksgiving for His grace.
Here, an important good deed is to build a temple which is the body of the Lord. God delights not only when we accomplish the invisible temple in our heart by sanctifying it but when we build visible temples (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).
Let's say for example, we give the church buses as offerings, and then they will become of help for the church to transport members, which is related to souls' salvation. If you also give furniture like a piano or podium that is necessary for God's sanctuary, it glorifies God's sanctuary and it can please God. In other words, when we delight in God, He will fulfill our heart's desires (Psalm 37:4).
3. The right ways to give to the poor
Matthew 6:3-4 says, "But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." You should give to the poor with true love, not just with compassion. You might as well help secretly that even those who receive the help cannot know who help them.
The thing we should be aware of in giving to the poor is that we should do it by the clear guidance of the Holy Spirit. As Galatians 6:10 says, "So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith," we should help those who are of households of faith.
As written in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, saying "…anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either," we must not help those who are not willing to work though they are healthy enough to stand on their own.
If you help some people who fall into trials because they stood against God's will, you might be faced with difficulties together with them. In this case, you need to help them realize their sins, turn away from them, and lead proper Christian lives.
Therefore, we should give aid first to those who are trying hard to overcome hardship with faith. That is, we should take care of people who can't live on their own such as those who were faced with unfortunate accidents, weak people, orphans, widows, and students without financial supply. Then, you can broaden your heart and help other people.
4. Blessing given in a reward for kindness and charity
Tabitha pleased God by showing abounding deeds of kindness and goodness unchangingly. Acts 9:40 reads, "But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, 'Tabitha, arise.' And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up."
Because Tabitha became a joy to God by doing kindness in His sight, she could experience such amazing work of God. Peter stretched out his hands and raised her up and showed the revived Tabitha to church members and widows. Then, this news was spread to all the people of Joppa and many people came to believe in the Lord.
In Acts chapter 10, Cornelius also feared God and did many good and charitable works. Although he was a Gentile, God remembered him because he did many good deeds. Through this, his family and friends as well as he himself received the Holy Spirit and salvation.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Matthew 10:42 says, "And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." I pray in the name of the Lord that you will give out the fragrance of Christ by looking after your brothers and sisters around you and enjoy doing good.
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