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liberality In the book of Acts chapter 9 we find Peter at Lydia. It was here that it is said that all who dwelt there turned to the Lord. What joy there must have been both in heaven and on earth because so many were converted to Jesus Christ! However, the mood changes very quickly as Peter is summoned to come to Joppa. In Acts 9:36 we are introduced to a woman; in the Hebrew her name was “Tabitha” and in the Greek her name was “Dorcas”. "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." [Acts 9:36]. This woman was well known in the city of Joppa. What was it that made her so well known and loved? For one thing she was known for her good works, furthermore, she was known for her “almsdeeds”; in other words she was known for her “liberality”. Verse thirty nine confirms this: (Acts 9:39) "Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them." We may be prone to overlook this woman and the life she lived and only think about the miracle that Peter performed. Friends, there is a great lesson to be learned from this woman. This woman was a Christian, not only was she a Christian but she was a Christian who was “full of good works!” But the message that we have of this woman does not stop there we are also informed that she was well know for her “almsdeeds”, that is she was generous; she was full of “liberality.” This is indicated in verse thirty nine when all the widows she had so generously helped stood by Peter weeping and showing Peter the coats and garments that Dorcas had given them. Here is a question that could be a life changing question, “How do you want to be remembered?” A question that must be answered is “Would Jesus have us to be liberal?” Here is what Jesus told his disciples: (Luke 12:33-34) "Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. {34} For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." If your heart is not right you might think that this is a very hard commandment. Would you be willing to sell your most treasured possession and give “alms” to those who are less fortunate that you? Might we call this a test of discipleship? Our goal in life should not be to lay up treasures on earth; rather our goal should be to seek the kingdom of God first: (Mat 6:33) "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." The attitude that Jesus wants us to have toward our personal needs and desires is found in this same gospel account: (Luke 12:22-23) "And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. {23} The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment." We can show the world and God that we believe that life is more than what we put in our bellies and on our backs by “liberality” towards others. To look at the other side of the coin I think of a man who had a bumper crop one year: (Luke 12:16-22) "And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: {17} And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? {18} And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. {19} And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. {20} But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? {21} So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. {22} And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on." Notice if you will in verse seventeen we are told that “he thought [or looked] within himself.” What is wrong with that? By thinking within himself he left God and God’s will out. We should never leave God out of our thoughts. God should always be in the decisions we make. Think about this the next time you see someone in need!
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