36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named [a]Tabitha, which is translated [b]Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.
37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.
38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.
39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Love is the driving force of liberality. Being abundantly overwhelmed by love is what influences your giving. Many a time, we think that people will give generously because they are rich, but it doesn’t follow. How come people who have little give much and people who have much give little? People give a lot because they love a lot, not necessarily because they have a lot. Sometimes people think it’s because someone has much, but really, it is love that motivates giving and that’s because love gives over and above what is needed. Liberality is determined by love, not necessarily abundance of material blessings.
The account of Dorcas in Acts 9 is that of one who gave from love. Scriptures described her as a woman that was full of good works and giving, which she did in love and rich liberality. When she fell ill and died, the Church sent for Apostle Peter in a hurry because her loss was a great one as a result of her impactful giving on the Church. Upon his arrival, all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made for them, while she was with them. Everyone testified of her good works of giving that was borne out of love. Dorcas was restored to life as a result of her good deeds which was testified to by all the widows that were present. She gave and her giving did count because it proceeded from love. Giving shouldn’t be something that we do out of compulsion or necessity but something that comes out of a heart of love. Life came out of death because love was the foundation of it. A life lived in love and out of love is potent, lasting and enduring. Love never fails and never dies. It is only those who do things out of love that abide forever. Everything you give from the foundation of the Love of God is alive; it is a living seed because it carries grace to multiply, but whatever is not done out of love cannot multiply. There’s no profiting in it. This principle is at the heart of liberality.
MY SOLID FRONT (YOUR CONFESSION):
In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I allow the love of God to motivate me unto liberality. I am given to hospitality and rich liberality in Jesus’ Name!
Further Meditation: Luke 21:1-4; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.