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TEXT: Acts 9:36-43
In recent weeks, we have studied women of rare spiritual gifts. Mary's wisdom, Elisabeth's joy, and Anna's prophetic work, especially, come to mind. These ladies received "talents" from their Lord and "put them to the moneychangers, that He might have His own with interest". They faithfully discharged their stewardships and received the reward, "Well done you good and faithful servant!"
But Tabitha, it would seem, had no such gifts. There is not a word in the Bible to suggest that she did. No mention is made of her knowledge, teaching ability, or evangelistic skill. The only thing she could do well is sew!
And this little talent couldn't possibly be used for God. It wasn't given to her at conversion, but something she learned as a girl. And it wasn't spiritual in the least--why many unbelievers sewed as well--maybe better.
And thus, poor Tabitha was left with nothing to offer her God. Yes, she could pray a bit and try to be good; but nothing much could be done with her needle and thread to advance the cause of Christ.
Or could it? It would seem that Tabitha thought otherwise. She didn't deny her gift, as though she had none. She didn't bemoan her gift, as though it were of no use. And she didn't envy others for their more "spiritual" talents.
What she did was simple: she discovered her gift (sewing) and she put it to good use (making clothes for the poor). And this gift (though not especially "spiritual") was of:
1.Immense value to Christ's people. Why would they have been shown, otherwise? Why was her life described as "full of good works and charitable deeds"? And why would the widows be so distraught over her death if she were a "nothing" to them?
2.Was of value to Christ, too. "In as much as you have done it to the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me". And the "it" here spoken of includes "I was naked and you clothed me". Thus, Jesus Christ appreciated the Tabitha's humble service.
a.On this subject, Abraham Kuyper has written: "For that reason Tabitha's being raised from the dead has a special significance. By completing that miraculous wonder the Lord placed His Divine stamp of approval upon the work of caring for the poor which Tabitha introduced".
In this way, Tabitha is an example to every Christian woman (man and child, too). If you want to please the Lord, what you have to do is this:
find your gift and put it to good use.
1.Finding your "gift" is sometimes hard and confusing for the Christian. Just this week, an experienced and highly intelligent believer told me that she had not yet discovered her calling in life! I was astonished. It was obvious to me, why couldn't she see it after years of study? The reason is simple: she doesn't know what "a spiritual gift" is.
a.It is sometimes thought to be only preaching, teaching, evangelizing, and so on. But this is impossible, for God calls only a few men to these great works, yet "gifts" all of His people.
b.Someone else will think that a "spiritual gift" must be given at conversion or later. Thus, anything he learned or became good at before then is natural or unspiritual. But this doesn't make sense. Paul is Christianity's greatest thinker. But was this powerful gift made his only after he was struck down on the Road to Damascus? Of course not, he was a brilliant man before that. This grace didn't make him intelligent, but only sanctified his mental powers.
c.A "spiritual gift" can be defined as: "what you can do well". Let me illustrate:
1.You don't know how to swim. Thus, you needn't wonder if God is calling you to be a lifeguard at a Christian camp!
2.You know how to do housework. But does nothing need cleaning? Is there no church building that gets dirty? Is there no friend who needs a little help around the house? Does everyone know whether to dust or vacuum first? Obviously, this gift can be put to good use. And so, that's your gift! Use it!
d.In Romans 12 and I Corinthians 12, we find some rather ordinary abilities being listed among "spiritual gifts" (right alongside preaching and speaking in tongues). They are:
1."Helps", that is the ability to sense others in need and provide assistance of one kind or another.
2."Giving". Some people need financial help, be it advice, a loan, or a gift. Those with the gift of "giving" can meet this need.
3."Leading". Not every man knows how to lovingly lead his wife; not every mother knows how to discipline her children. But you do. Thus you can provide the "leadership" they so lack.
4."Mercy". Maybe you have suffered more than others. Thus, you're uniquely gifted to sympathize with others who hurt.
5."Ministry", which just means "serving" of any kind. Thus, if you can do anything at all, you have this gift.
c.And so, your gift is obvious. But you'll never find it as long as you look for it in a supernatural vision! It's as plain as "what you can do". Ask yourself what you can do and do it. There! You've found your "gift".
2."Put it to good use". Your gifts are not given for personal enrichment, but for service. Serve the Lord's people with what you can do. Galatians 6:10.
About these gifts, a few things might be said with profit:
1.Most gifts do not need "official sanction". No man should preach the Gospel unless formally called to it. But most of these gifts need no public approval. It seems ludicrous that Tabitha was told by her elders--in a business meeting--how many tunics to make, what to make them out of, the stitch to be used, and who to give them to. She simply saw needs and met them.
2.All gifts need encouragement. We ought to notice what others are doing and show our appreciation. We ought to help others find outlet for their gifts. We ought to pray that the gifts be exercised for God's glory. This is taught, for example, by Hebrews 10:24: "And let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works".
3.All gifts are important to God; all gifts are useful to His people; and the right use of any gift will receive His reward: "You have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things".
4.And so, you ought not to deny your gifts (you have them). You ought not to wonder about your gifts (they're obvious). You ought not to despise your gifts (they are important). You ought not to envy others for their gifts (they are no better than yours, only different). And you ought to use your gifts for God's glory:
"Whatever you do, do it heartily;
as to the Lord, and not to men;
knowing that of the Lord you shall
receive the reward of the inheritance;
For you serve the Lord Christ."
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