
Acts 9:36 & 39
Always Doing Good
“Now there was in Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha,
which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did…..and all the widows stood by him (the Apostle Peter) weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.” (Acts 9:36 & 39)
As the Lord worked through the Apostle Peter to heal and raise the dead, he also worked through Dorcas with her kind and loving deeds. Acts of love that help those in need are as much a manifestation of God’s Holy Spirit as are miracles, signs and wonders. The Apostle Paul emphasized this Scriptural truth in:
I Corinthians 13:1-13
13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that he shall also reap. For he soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
(Galatians 6:7-10)
“Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord,
and he will lift you up.”
(James 4:10)