In Acts chapter 9, Luke writes:
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. (Acts 9:36-39)
For Tabitha, helping others was not something that happened on occasion. She was “always doing good and helping the poor.” Love for God manifested itself in love for those around her, especially those she saw who were in need. No doubt she could have used her talents for personal gain. She might have made clothing to sell. She might even have used a portion of the money to give to the poor so they could buy their own clothes. She chose instead to invest in those who had few alternatives.
James tells us: “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:15-17).
Too often, selfishness controls my actions. I’d prefer not to see the needs of those around me; I’d prefer to stay focused on my world, my family, and my issues, shutting myself off to the rest of the world. Find someone else, Lord, is too often the honest cry of my soul.
Tabitha shows us what it looks like to respond to needs with, “Here I am, Lord. Use me.” Her lavish love for others made such an impact that when she died it wasn’t just the widows and the poor but also the disciples who pled her case before Peter and, ultimately, the Lord.
How can we get that kind of love? First, we need to recognize that it’s important to God. When one of the Pharisees asked Jesus, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment?” (Matthew 22:36), Jesus replied, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40).
The whole of Scripture comes down to realizing that God sent his Son to die for us, not because we were worthy but because of his love. When that truth penetrates our soul, we are prepared for service to others. God asks us to have that same love for others, regardless of how they respond and regardless of whether we feel they are worthy.
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:43-45).
God calls us, his children, to be different. While the rest of the world strives to gather and store more and to use time in a self-absorbed, self-serving manner, we are to stand apart because we have tasted God’s love. In turn, we should readily give that love to others. I can’t sew, so I won’t be making clothes for anyone, but I can make meals, and I often serve other people’s children at my house. You may not be so inclined to watch people’s children, but you might be in a position to visit shut-ins or to drive an elderly friend to a clinic appointment. The particulars are not nearly as important as recognizing and filling a need with love.
Once, when John the Baptist was calling the people to repentance, he said, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same” (Luke 3:11).
Part of being motivated to lavishly love others is admitting God has given me enough and he has equipped me to readily and cheerfully share with those who are not so fortunate. Our love for God causes us to bless others instead of using everything to live lavishly for ourselves.
Excerpt from: In God’s Orchard: Cultivating the Fruit of a Spirit-Filled Life