Feed the Birds, a Tuppence a Bag...

Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside, 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. (Acts 9:36-40 ESV).

 

"Feed the Birds" is a song written by the Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman and featured in the 1964 motion picture Mary Poppins. The song speaks of an old beggar woman (the "Bird Woman") who sits on the steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral, selling bags of breadcrumbs to passers-by for a “tuppence.” This twopence bag of food fed the many pigeons which surrounded the old woman. In the book, Mary Poppins accompanies the children, on the way to tea with their father, to give money to the bird woman to feed the birds. In the movie, on the way to the bank, their father discourages the children from feeding the birds, while Mary Poppins, who had sung the song to the children the previous night, was on her day off. The lesson was clear: doing good with what we have is always the better choice.

 

When we recognize that every gift we have is from God’s hand and not something we have earned or are entitled to, we become more open to sharing our time, talents, and possessions. As we are filled with God’s grace, the natural response is to share generously with others. Dorcas was known for her compassion for the poor in her community. She was known for doing good and investing in those who had needs. Her relationship with God was not just for herself but also for the benefit of others.

 

The death of Dorcas left her community in distress. Friends searched for Peter to see if there was something he could do. Widows showed him all the clothing Dorcas had made for them, gifts that reminded them of her love. Gifts placed in the hand of someone in need point to the hand of the heavenly Father, who loves us completely and generously supplies all that we need. Peter’s response is to pray for Dorcas when she is raised from death. This miracle became the rallying point for many more people to become believers. All of this was rooted in Dorcas’ unselfish acts of kindness toward others. Our culture tends to focus on accumulating wealth instead of giving to people in need. I wonder, who can you show God’s generous heart to someone in need this week… even with a mere tuppence!