Month: May 2023

The past few weeks at church our pastor has been speaking in Acts. This past Sunday we were in Acts 6: 1-7. In this passage the Hellenists; Greek speaking Jews, had a complaint against the Hebrews or the apostles. They noticed that the widows weren’t getting their fair share of the daily distributions. A legitimate complaint. So they went to the 12 apostles.

I am not sure what the Hellenists were expecting the apostles to do. I don’t think how this plays out, many of us would have expected the situation to unfold as it did. The complaint was that the widows weren’t getting their fair share of the daily distributions. It was a legitimate complaint. No one was denying it and it was good that others were looking out for the widows and they spoke up. I’m not sure if the Hellenists were expecting the apostles to fix the problem themselves. There was a need that just wasn’t being met and they went to people who could take care of the situation.

However, the apostles had work to do. God’s work, to spread His Gospel. Verse 2, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.” They knew exactly what God had called them to do and they were focused and committed. Much like Nehemiah, they were focused on what they need to do. (I touched on Nehemiah back in March) Their job was to serve others God’s Word, not tables. They were committed to prayer and the ministry of the Word. So the apostles told the Hellenists to choose seven men of good reputation from the multitude to serve the daily distributions. I like verse 5; “And the saying pleased the whole multitude…” Saaaaay whaaat?! How often does that happen??? “… And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,.”

Here’s an incredible thing that happened, verse 7, “ Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” God blessed the widows, the disciples, the ministry and the multitude all because the apostles were focused and committed to obeying God. I think some credit needs to be given to the Hellenists for having an opened mind as to who should serve tables. They could have expected the apostles to do it, or if they were asked they could have said no we don’t serve tables, we’re too good for that, or when they specifically weren’t asked to serve they could have had their egos bent out of shape for not being chosen for the task. But they knew who to look to for an answer. I’m not sure, I’m guessing the apostles were in charge and if that’s is true, as leaders they knew how to delegate and knew what was important. The apostles could have taken this task upon themselves but there would have been a different outcome.

The apostles were were obedient to God and His Word, they were aligned with God’s Word, they knew what to do. Sometimes we go to the wrong people to do something we can do ourselves. It’s ok to reach out and ask others for help but don’t expect the one(s) you are reaching out to to be the one(s) to handle the problem. Oftentimes, like the apostles, others will delegate, provide resources or assistance in some way. God will always give us an answer to our problems. We need to be in alignment with Him and focused on Him so that will know His voice and what He wants us to do.