We don’t know a lot about her life.

We do know she lived in Joppa. But was she married? Did she have children? How had she become a Christian? Was it a message that one of the apostles had preached that touched her heart or was it a testimony of neighbor or friend? There are so many details we don’t know about the life of a woman named Dorcas.

But in a matter of a few verses of scripture, Dorcas is memorialized as a woman who genuinely lived her faith.

“She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor.”         Acts 9:36

 She took her needle and thread and sewed beautiful garments and robes for the widows of Joppa. (summarized vs. 39)

Dorcas took what she knew how to do, took what talent she had, and ministered to those in need. And those good works were not a vain attempt by Dorcas to earn her salvation. No, she was motivated to do these good works by a genuine desire to express her love for the Lord and her faith in Him. They were the outward manifestation of her faith in the One who had done the great “work” of salvation for her – an expression of God’s immeasurable love.

Her example should inspire us all. Good works come in all shapes and sizes. For some it may mean:

• Starting an orphanage
• Establishing a medical center in a third world country
• Founding a mission to feed the homeless
• Organizing a food pantry
• Teaching inmates in a jail or prison

But it also means:

• Helping a befuddled elderly woman navigate the self-serve checkout at the grocery store
• Shoveling snow from a neighbor’s walk
• Making dinner for one who is recuperating from surgery
• Giving a weary waitress a generous tip
• Or like Dorcas, sewing some garments for those in need.

Paul received a great revelation from the Lord when he was inspired to write:

 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Eph. 2:10

What is important isn’t how grand the good works may seem to us or to others. What is important is that we do the works that He has planned for us to do. To take whatever He has placed in our hands – our “needle and thread” – and use them to meet the needs of others. Not as a means to earn God’s favor or love, but as a response to His grace and favor to us.