TWO AREAS OF IMPORTANCE
Acts 6:1-4 NKJV
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
The first verse of chapter six makes me chuckle. The number of disciples was multiplying, and there arose a complaint. As a lead pastor, I know exactly what was happening. Growth is wonderful, but growth creates challenges and problems. The problem for the early church was in food distribution. Some of the widows of the Hellenists were being skipped. The bigger problem was the message it sent to the Hellenists. The margin of my Bible says these were Greek speaking Jews. There may have been some perceived prejudice against this group.
The early church had to pivot. The twelve apostles called a meeting and gave some clear directives as to what needed to happen. The apostles believed that their time would be best utilized by focusing on God’s Word and prayer. But they didn’t stop there. They did not say that the only important thing was the Word of God and prayer. They also knew that with their current church structure, the food ministry needed quality attention. So they did another wise thing.
The apostles asked the church to pick seven men who could be over the food distribution ministry. And not just any seven men. Not just men who were known for knowing how to run a business. That could be helpful, but the three criteria the apostles wanted were men with a good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom. The apostles wanted men with some spiritual chops. Men who had something going on with the Lord and a heart for Him. You are not full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom without having a good relationship with the Lord. And there was one more thing that was essential. They wanted men with a good reputation. The apostles recognized that to be over this area of the church, they would have to be people who were trustworthy. It most likely required a good amount of money to feed the widows and others involved in receiving food. They needed people who were spiritual, but people who lived what they believed.
The apostles realized that with seven strong men heading up this important area of ministry, they could give themselves and devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. After these men were set up, verse seven says the Word of God spread and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly. Two areas, the spiritual and the practical, came together to create a strong multiplying church.
APPLICATION
I am so blessed by the people who serve at The Ark. As we have grown, the need for good people to step into the spiritual and practical areas of ministry has increased. And as our volunteers have increased, so has our church. It’s not all preaching and teaching and praying. It’s the parking lot, the check-in, the cafe, and the ushers. The people who teach the children, youth, and classes. The musicians and singers, as well as the back-room administrative folks who are rarely seen but are totally necessary. The spiritual and the practical come together to make the church work. It worked for the early church two thousand years ago, and it’s still working today.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You that everyone has a part to play in Your church. Practical and spiritual, it’s all important to see Your church thrive and reach the world.