Dorcas and Her Good Works
[ From The Editors: This article is the sixth in a series we will publish
this year, calling attention to twelve people who though being dead, instruct us
(Heb. 11:4). They speak to us through the testimony of their lives as written in
Scripture. Over the next few months, we will develop a theme title. And, near
the end of the year we are planning to publish these twelve articles in book
form (Kindle, Nook and old fashioned print and ink). These passages and people
can equip us and motivate us toward greater service to our Lord.]
We must not perform our good works in order to be seen by men (Matt. 6:1), but
men need to be able to see our good works (Matt. 5:16).
Dorcas is singled out in God’s Book as a woman who was “full of good works and
charitable deeds” (Acts 9:36). Following are five points about her good works.
Since we look into God’s mirror (the Bible) in order see ourselves and make
necessary changes (James 1:22-25), we will conclude each point with reflective
questions.
1. Dorcas was “full” of good works and charitable deeds (Acts 9:36). This means
that she looked for opportunities to do good and abounded (excelled) in good
works. She was obsessed with doing good. People in the world do a good deed
every now and then, but this is the way a Christian ought to BE. It should be
developed as part of our character. Peter declared that Jesus “went about doing
good” (Acts 10:38). What more beautiful description could be given of a person’s
life? REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS: “Do you occasionally do a good work, or are you
“full” of good works? Could you list some good works you have done for others
recently?”
2. Her good works were not, from man’s perspective, weighty (Acts 9:39). The
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation does big things in big ways, contributing
thousands to charitable organizations. Dorcas made clothes for some needy
widows. Even the smallest acts of kindness are noticed by God (Matt. 10:42),
such as: making or mending clothes for widows, preparing food for someone who is
sick, mowing a lawn, raking leaves or cleaning gutters for someone who is
incapacitated. As the song says, “There is room in the kingdom of God, my
brother, for the small things that you can do; Just a small, kindly deed that
may cheer another is the work God has planned for you.” REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS:
“Can you think of a small act of kindness someone rendered toward you, and it
had an impact on your life? Can you think of one specific act of kindness you
could be rendering to someone who needs it?”
3. Her good works were not done by proxy (Acts 9:36b). When a person acts “by
proxy” he is doing something through another person or organization acting on
his behalf. The little congregation in Arkansas where I grew up contributed a
small amount of money each month to an orphan home. They used James 1:27 to
defend the practice. Their idea was that they could perform their individual
responsibility “to visit orphans” by proxy, i.e., through a human institution
acting for them. Dorcas “was full of good works and charitable deeds WHICH SHE
DID” (emp. mine). SHE did them! We can just see her sitting by candlelight,
sewing garments for the poor. REFLECTIVE QUESTION: “What good work have you done
on an individual basis lately—something executed on your own?”
4. When she died she was remembered for her good works (Acts 9:37, 39). When she
died, those who knew her memorialized her by holding up “the tunics and garments
which Dorcas had made…” We should want to be remembered at our funeral for
faithful service rendered unto the Lord and others. A preacher was asked to
speak at the funeral of a man who was not a Christian. When he asked the family
if they could think of anything that they would like to be said about him, the
only thing they could come up with was: “He sure could tell a good joke.”
REFLECTIVE QUESTION: “At your funeral, what would the preacher be able to
mention about your service unto others?”
5. She performed her good works “while she was with them” (Acts 9:39).
Opportunities for doing good are here today and gone tomorrow, so make use of
them today while you have them. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do
good to all…” (Gal. 6:10). Opportunities are fleeting: To say an encouraging
word to that weak Christian; To try to restore that brother or sister who has
fallen; To try to set up a Bible study with that lost person whom you see nearly
every day. There is no reincarnation. There is no living our lives over and over
again until we finally get it right. When we leave here, we are through here.
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS: “Is there some good deed you have meant to perform, and
haven’t? How much more time do you have guaranteed to do it?”
Dorcas is not singled out in God’s Book because she was ordinary and
commonplace, but because she rose above the ordinary and was distinctive. Let us
not be content to be ordinary. Let us be distinctive.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and
glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).
By Mike Pittman
From Expository Files 19.6; June 2012
