Dare to Be a Tabitha

Daily Scripture Threshing for Today, Sunday, November 1, 2026

Today's Text: Acts 9:36-42

Key Verse: Acts 9:36 (KJV) — "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."

We can be grateful for Luke for preserving the story of a quiet disciple in Joppa named Tabitha. Her Aramaic name Tabitha and her Greek name Dorcas both mean gazelle, graceful and gentle. Her name, Tabitha or Dorcas reminds one of Saul or Paul, which are same names, one being of Jewish/Semitic heritage and the other from the Greco-Roman or Hellenistic world. This lady was neither an apostle nor a prophetess. She was simply a disciple, whose tireless charity stood out so clearly. While others preached with words, Tabitha preached with her hands. She made robes and clothing for poor widows, a practical gospel sewn stitch by stitch. When she fell sick and died, the grief was so deep that the widows did not bury her immediately. They washed her body, laid her in an upper chamber, and sent for Peter in Lydda. Her life had been so full of mercy that her community could not let her go. Dare to be Tabitha, whose hands wove mercy into every garment.

Tabitha teaches us that a life of practical love is never wasted. She did not have a pulpit, but she had a needle. She did not have wealth, but she had works. She was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. That phrase full means her life was saturated, not occasional, not for show. Today many want influence without service, titles without towels, and sermons without sacrifice. Tabitha reminds us that real discipleship is measured by what we do for those who cannot repay us. The widows she clothed had no husband and no income, yet she clothed them as her ministry. God noticed what others overlooked. Never despise your small skills; God uses needles as much as He uses pulpits. Dare to be Tabitha!

Tabitha also teaches us to live so usefully that our absence is felt. When she died, the widows did not stay home. They stood around weeping and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. Her works were their witness. They did not talk about her intentions; they showed her products. Her legacy was tangible, touchable, wearable. That is why they sent for Peter with urgency. They said, come without delay. They believed that a life so generous should not end so quickly. And God honored that cry. Peter kneeled down and prayed, said Tabitha, arise, and she opened her eyes. Her death became a doorway for many to believe. Keep serving until your works begin to speak for you. Dare to be Tabitha, whose life was too useful to be forgotten quickly.

This woman did not wait for a miracle to serve; her service produced a miracle. She did not ask God to raise the dead; the community asked God to raise her. Her encounter with death became a testimony that led many in Joppa to believe in the Lord. She understood that charity is not an extra to the gospel; it is the gospel in work clothes. You do not need a grand platform to change your community. Your sewing machine, your cooking pot, your wallet, your hands can be your pulpit. The robes she made outlived her and then brought her back. Do not allow your faith to remain as mere words when there are widows who need clothing. Tabitha reminds us that genuine faith sews what it says. Dare to be Tabitha, whose kindness became her resurrection sermon! Serve where you are, with what you have, and let your works preach.

Tabitha's story reminds us that true greatness is measured by usefulness, not visibility. Scripture records only seven verses about her, yet her example has inspired centuries of Dorcas societies, charity groups, and mercy ministries. She lived to clothe others, not herself. Her legacy was built through compassion, craftsmanship, consistency, and community. She did not seek to become famous; she sought to be faithful, and God made her unforgettable. One coat is small, but a lifetime of coats builds a memorial. Never underestimate the impact of a consistent life of hands-on mercy. May we be remembered not for what we accumulated, but for who we clothed; not for how much we spoke, but for how much we served. Dare to be Tabitha, whose needle still speaks today! May our lives likewise be remembered for our practical love and lasting usefulness. Dare to be Tabitha, whose good works still preach!

Action Steps: Take out time today to do a practical good work. Identify a widow, a single mother, a poor family, or a lonely neighbor in your congregation or community. Do something tangible - mend, give clothes, cook a meal, or give money quietly. Do not post it; let the widows show it later. Ask God to make your hands as useful as your prayers. Never consider your skill too small to serve God. Sew faithfully, serve practically, and love visibly.

Quote for the Day: "A life full of good works never dies; when kindness is your language, your garments will continue to speak even after you are gone; and your love will shine the resurrection light." — Simon Olatunji (#quotablequotes)

Let Us Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for Tabitha's exemplary life of practical charity and compassion. Help me to be full of good works and almsdeeds, not empty words. Deliver me from laziness, selfishness, and showy religion. Let my hands serve where my heart believes. May my life be so useful that my community feels the grace of God through me. Let my kindness leave a lasting witness that points people to Jesus. In Jesus' most glorious name. Amen.

______________

Thank you for threshing the Word with me today. For further study, please read: Acts 9:36-42; Proverbs 31:19-20; Matthew 25:35-40; Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:7; James 2:15-17; 1 Timothy 5:9-10.

With all my love and prayers,

Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

Send | Share | Subscribe | Support