As I honestly paused to let her story dig deep into me today, God has allowed me to see something.
I simply thought, "God, what is the purpose of Tabitha's story?" So often when it is taught the focus is on the miracle. Don't get me wrong. I love the miracle and I believe in God doing miracles today. But, God's stories are always more.
Then I saw it. MANY PEOPLE BELIEVED.
Tabitha's life story demonstrated her focus was on kingdom mindedness. She worked hard to bless the poor and needy. She sewed coats and clothes to give away. She used her talents to bless others. The widows grieved her presence. Why? I imagine it was because they saw good in her and knew the reality of it based on how they were showing Peter the clothes she made. She built up her community.
But, I needed to go to the original language to see if I was on the right track. Oh my! God does so bless me.
In Bible Hub, the Topical Lexico states that this story reveals the kingdom priorities unfolding the mission of the church. There are 13 other occurrences for alms or giving to the poor in scripture. This word never occurs without prayer, worship, or the gospel attached to its story.
Let's consider this for a moment. Generosity found in giving to the poor always has these three attached to it.
Prayer... talking to God and seeking His wise counsel in our giving.
Worship... giving God praise and thanksgiving for who He is. We give because He first gave to us.
Gospel... the good news that God sent Jesus to all people. Generosity is a character trait of God so it opens doors for God's story to be seen and heard.
Since, this story brings focus on the miraculous that Peter raised the dead. It is astounds us, but the reality is this is not my daily norm. It isn't the norm and that is part of its beauty. Miracles should not be normal. So, I need to focus on what principles in this story will affect my daily norm to build the kingdom? I will always watch fir God's miraculous blessings, but I need to focus on my daily living.
Even with the miraculous this should be our question. How does it build the kingdom of God?
What if we should look at this passage as if it encourages us to focus on the motive of our heart? Whether we look at Tabitha or Peter's actions, we observe the motive of their hearts build the kingdom of God. Both of them lived out of kingdom building.
So, if someone wants to focus on raising someone from the dead, we can ask, "What is your motive?"
I once sat in a funeral service when my children were young and a pastor declared he was going to raise my kid's friend from the dead. The mom next to me grabbed my leg and asked, "What do we do?" I said, "Pray!" It wasn't that either of us didn't believe that God can do anything. But, we could discern the motives were wrong. It could hurt the body of Christ. And it did. I personally had to call one of my pastors to process what happened.
Sometimes, when I ask God in my serving, "Was my motive pure?" I honestly cannot say it has always been pure. Ugh. This is wrong. I guess this is why David prayed, "LORD search me and know me. Renew a steadfast spirit within me."
It is so easy to work through wrong motives. I guess this is why alms giving always includes talking to God, worshipping God, and telling His story. It takes the focus off of us or I better just say it. It takes the focus off of me.
The motive of the heart is so important. Whether in grief as a widow serving or as a ministry leader serving, we need to ask, "What is the motive of my heart? Am I kingdom focused? How will this build the kingdom of God? How will this give God glory? Will this cause those involved to draw closer to God?""
I love the miraculous and I love the mystery of how God moves, but it is not my role to try to manufacture it. I am to be simple and sincere in what I say and do.
My role is to remain faithful and to have heart motive that seeks to build the kingdom of God. True transformation will reveal a heart of compassion that releases easily and moves about in rightness that is born of righteousness. Rightousness is all about being full of grace, mercy, giving, and it will have the automatic outflow of worship that cause the body of Christ to know, to grow, and worship our God.
LORD, please let our giving and serving draw others to know, to grow and to worship You. Amen.
Shalom, shalom!
