CHRISTIANS NEED ONE ANOTHER - Women Who Cared About Others

Women Who Cared About Others

Among the godly women who cared about others was Dorcas.  When she died, the disciples summoned Peter and led him into an upper chamber.  There "all the widows presented themselves to him weeping and exhibiting many  inner garments and outer garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them."  Dorcas was brought back to life and doubtless continued to 'abound in good deeds and gifts of mercy.'  In the present-day Christian congregation, there are women like Dorcas who may make garments or do other loving things for those in need.  Of course, their good works primarily have to do with promoting Kingdom interests and sharing in the disciple making work. -Acts 9:36-42; Matthew 6:33; 28:19, 20.

A God-fearing woman named Lydia cared about others.  A native of Thyatira, she was living in Philippi when Paul preached there in about 50 C.E. Lydia was probably a Jewish proselyte, but there may have been few Jews and not synagogue in Philippi.  She and other devout women has assembled for worship by a river when the apostle proclaimed the good news to them.  The account says:  "Jehovah opened [Lydia's] heart wide to pay attention to the things being spoken by Paul.  Now when she and her household got baptized, she said with entreaty:  "If you men have judged me to be faithful to Jehovah, enter into my house and stay.' And she just made us come." (Acts 16:12-15) Because Lydia wanted to do good things for others,m she prevailed upon Paul and his associates to stay with her.  How we appreciate it when similar hospitality is shown by kind and loving Christians today! -Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9.

Next time: CHRISTIANS NEED ONE ANOTHER - We Need You Young Ones Too

The Watchtower, 2002