Becoming a Compassionate Woman: 6 Biblical Examples Sample

Tabitha: A Compassionate Donor

Today’s compassionate woman doesn’t come with an origin story. In fact, when we meet her in the Bible, we find her dead. However, this woman named Tabitha (or Dorcas in Greek), was loved by many. Why? You guessed it: for her compassion.

And that legacy? It led many people to believe in Jesus.

Tabitha was a disciple known for “doing good and helping the poor”(Acts 9:36, NIV). She took great care of widows and acted with compassion toward those who needed it most. What incredible qualities to be known for!

When Tabitha became sick and died, her friends and those she cared for were heartbroken. They heard that Peter, an apostle, was nearby, so they sent two men to him and urged him to come see Tabitha.

When Peter arrived, the widows and Tabitha’s friends wept and showed him all the robes and other pieces of clothing Tabitha had made for them. Peter was moved by compassion himself and prayed over Tabitha:

“Tabitha, get up.”(Acts 9:40, NIV)

With this command, Tabitha opened her eyes and sat up. When the believers saw what had been done, they shared the news around Joppa. As a result, many people came to believe in the Lord.

Tabitha was known for showing compassion often. When she was gone, her absence left a void. Moved by her compassion, those she cared for reached out for help on her behalf. As a result, she was raised from the dead, a miracle that inspired countless people to believe in Jesus.

Tabitha is someone we can all aspire to be. By having compassion for others, we can build legacies of love that echo well into future generations.

Scripture: Acts 9:32-43