Tabitha the GOAT: A Legacy of Service
By Bill Valine
In almost every field of athletic competition that stretches over many decades, an inevitable argument arises as to who is the G.O.A.T. – the Greatest of All Time. For instance, in golf people argue over who was greater, Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods.
But it is difficult to make these comparisons across generations because inevitably, questions arise: Did they both play under the same rules? Did they use the same equipment, or did the equipment improve over time? Did they face the same level of competition?
While arguments over which sports figure is the GOAT can never reach a definitive conclusion, in the kingdom of God there is no question. Jesus Himself answered that question when He told His disciples in Matthew 20:26-27: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave.”
Jesus’ words came in response to the disciples’ anger over James and John having shamelessly attempted to promote themselves above the rest (see verses 20-25). It was not the first time Jesus addressed their ongoing argument over who was the greatest nor would it be the last (see Mark 9:33-35 and Luke 22:24 - 27).
Immediately after admonishing the disciples to serve one another, Jesus reminded them that His whole life was given to serve us all, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
Later, at the Last Supper, He gave them an object lesson in how to humble themselves and serve each other by washing their feet Himself. In John 13:13-15 we read that afterwards, He said: “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet, for I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you.”
Considering the importance Jesus placed on service, it is a wonder how little His disciples valued it. But they are not alone. Even today, for every Christian book that deals with how we can and should serve others, there are roughly three books which deal with how Christians can improve their own lives.
If there was one person who took to heart Jesus’ call to service; if there was one person who Jesus would have called the GOAT, it would be Tabitha. Her story is given to us in Acts 9:36-42. Tabitha was a disciple, which means she was a learner: she did not think she knew everything. She was a giving person who always looked for opportunities to help others and she acted on those opportunities with kindness and charity.
She willingly invested her time, her money, and her generous heart in making clothing for those around her. When she died, her friends missed her so much that they urgently sent for Peter to come quickly and pray for her.
When God used Peter to raise Tabitha from the dead, her friends were so overjoyed that they spread the news throughout the entire city of Joppa.
Philippians 2:3-8 tells us: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
Being servants means thinking of others rather than of ourselves; it means having a giving mindset. While each of us has our own interests – our own daily duties and activities – we can still have a giving mindset if, while we go about doing our daily tasks, we look for opportunities to help others.
We won’t have to look long or hard. Do you see someone who needs you to open a door for them? Do you see something you could pick up for someone who dropped it?
Do you see someone you could help who is carrying a load that is awkward for him? Could you help someone by giving her room to merge into your lane?
Parents, you have the opportunity each day to give to your children. The key is to give to them with a servant’s heart. Do you view your children as being as important, as Jesus views them? Do you place a high priority on their needs?
Do you serve their dreams as well as their needs? Do you always have in mind what is best for their salvation, even if it goes against what you want?
The possibility for serving others is endless. And each small act of kindness to someone else may make a big difference in that person’s day.
The name Tabitha comes from a Hebrew word that means gazelle. If you were to think of which animal is the greatest, you might think of a lion or an elephant. I doubt you would think of a gazelle.
Like a gazelle, Tabitha was not high profile. But like a gazelle, she had a grace and beauty about her life. Her service to others made a lasting impression – both with her friends and neighbors and with God, who honored her forever by raising her from the dead and placing her story in His Word.
If we will follow her example, we too will be highly esteemed by God, for Jesus said we will be blessed more when we give than when we receive (Acts 20:35).
