Acts 6:1–7 (ESV)
Seven Chosen to Serve
6
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said,
“It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves
to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte
of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem,
and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
This is an interesting situation in which the Hebrew widows were getting preferential treatment from the food distribution than the Gentile
widows. The complaint is taken to the twelve disciples. Now it seems like they are saying they are too good to be bothered by the food distribution, but that is not the point being made. The point being made by the twelve is that we all make
up the body of Christ. We all work together to further the Kingdom of God. The church is not to be run by a few Christians, it is all OUR job to serve one another. The apostles could definitely handle the food distribution, but they are called
to teach and preach. They should not be taken away from their calling. There are plenty of others that can serve in this area. Seven were chosen and installed to serve in this capacity... and the word of God continued to increase and the
church grew! What is really neat is the last part of verse 7 states: “and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” Wow! There is power in the Word!!!
I pray: O
Lord, help our church to work together to further the Kingdom of God. We have many people, but few volunteers. I give thanks to those who serve, but I pray that the others learn the joy of serving you. Amen.