Full of Good Works

Ready for Every Good Work

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In Joppa lived a disciple named Tabitha. The Bible says, “This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did” (Acts 9:36). Her life was full of kind things she did for others.

A disciple first. Tabitha was a disciple before she was known for her good works. A disciple is someone who follows Jesus and learns from Him.

Not to earn heaven. Tabitha did not do good works to make God love her. Nobody can be good enough for that. God saves us “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy” (Titus 3:5).

Saved for good works. God does not save us because of our good works. He saves us so that we will do them. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10).

Getting ready. How does a disciple get ready for good works? Through God’s Word. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). Every part of the Bible comes from God.

Thoroughly equipped. The Bible makes a person of God “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17). Equipped means having everything you need for a job, like a worker with all the right tools.

Enough to give. God also gives what we need to do good. Paul wrote that God gives so much that “You will have enough to give to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Every good work. Big or small, the Bible teaches us how to love. It shows us how to be kind, honest, patient and generous.

Learning from Jesus. Tabitha learned from Jesus, who spent His life on earth helping people and caring for them. A disciple grows more and more like the Teacher.

Tabitha’s work. Tabitha did not preach to big crowds. She made tunics and garments (Acts 9:39). Her good works were the work of her hands.

Your work. Your good works might be making a card for someone who is sad, sharing your snack, helping a younger child, or setting the table without being asked.

Why it matters. Jesus loved us first. He died on the cross for our sins and rose again. Good works are a thank-you that grows out of a heart He has saved.

What we learn. You cannot earn God’s love with good works. But if you belong to Jesus, He made you for them, and His Word gets you ready.

What to do. Read a little of your Bible each day. Then ask God to show you one good work He has for you today.

Tabitha was “a certain disciple,” and she was “full of good works and charitable deeds which she did” (Acts 9:36). She belonged to Jesus first, and her good works grew out of that.

Ergon. The Greek word for work is ergon (say: AIR-gon), a deed or something done. A good work is love put into action, not only a kind feeling.

Not the root. Good works do not save anyone. God saves “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy” (Titus 3:5). Tabitha was saved the same way every disciple is saved: by grace, through faith in Jesus.

The fruit. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). The believer is God’s workmanship, and the good works are a path God has already laid out to walk in.

Equipped by the Word. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Four uses. Doctrine teaches what is true. Reproof shows us where we are wrong. Correction sets us right again. Instruction in righteousness trains us how to live. Each one prepares us for good works.

Complete. Complete here means fully fitted for the task, like a ship made ready for a voyage. God’s Word does not only fill our heads; it fits us for action.

Ordinary works. Tabitha’s works were practical: “the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made” (Acts 9:39). Most good works are ordinary acts of love, done again and again, often by people no one has heard of.

Supplied by grace. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things” (2 Corinthians 9:8), may have plenty for every good work. God does not only command good works; He supplies them.

Every good work. Every means every. No good work is too small for God to prepare us for, and none is too big for His Word to equip us for.

Grace first. The cross is where good works begin. Christ died for our sins and rose again, and we are saved by trusting Him. Then thankfulness turns into action.

Application. Let Scripture shape you each day, and watch for the works God has prepared. They may be as plain as making a shirt for someone who needs one.

Faith Working Through Love

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When Tabitha died, the widows stood by Peter, “showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them” (Acts 9:39). Everyone in that room could see her love.

Seen by others. Good works are often seen. People notice when someone is kind, fair and helpful.

Faith working through love. Paul wrote that what counts in Christ Jesus is “faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6). Real faith in Jesus does not stay hidden inside. It goes to work by loving people.

Working through love. Faith is trusting Jesus. Love is how that trust gets busy. Tabitha trusted Jesus, and her trust turned into tunics and garments for people in need.

Faith first. Tabitha did not love people so that God would save her. God saved her by His grace when she trusted Jesus. Then her faith went to work.

Jesus said it too. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Not for show. Tabitha was not trying to be noticed. She simply loved people, and God used it.

Remembered. The widows showed Peter what Tabitha had made for them. Her love was remembered in the things she had done.

Small things count. A shirt is a small thing. But to a widow with no one to help her, it was love she could wear.

Love you can touch. The widows did not only hear that Tabitha loved them. They could hold her love in their hands. Real love does something.

The best good work. The greatest good work of all was done by Jesus. He never sinned, yet He died on the cross for our sins, and God raised Him from the dead. Everyone who trusts Him is forgiven.

What we learn. Trusting Jesus is where it begins. Then faith gets busy loving people, and that love points others to God.

What to do. This week, do one kind thing for someone, and do it quietly. If someone asks why, tell them that Jesus loves you and you love Him.

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Complete all sections to finish!

Read each section and answer the questions correctly.