ACTS of the Apostles
Thursday, May 5
ACTS of the Apostles
Learning How to be Daring and Dynamic
Read Acts 6:1-7
Focus Verse: Acts 6:3
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.
For some Christian there is a tug-of-war between meeting physical needs, such as feeding the poor, and putting energy and funds into spreading the Gospel. This was the dilemma that the early apostles were experiencing. As their congregation grew, the apostles discovered that they could not effectively preach to the people and also be out there providing food for the needy. Actually it was the Hellenistic Jews in their group (Jews who had Greek leanings) who noticed that the congregation was not properly caring for the widows. The Hebraic Jews (the ones who valued their Jewish heritage) which included the twelve disciples, realized that they weren’t putting their actions where their mouths were. Preaching salvation was their first priority, but making Christ’s love tangible to people was equally important. So the twelve asked the rest of the disciples to choose seven men from the congregation to administer the distribution of food. This freed up the apostles to work full time in the ministry.
Notice that these seven were not immediately sent out to distribute the food. Rather the apostles first prayed over them and laid their hands on them, so that the Holy Spirit would guide and bless their efforts. 1 Corinthians 12:28 mentions the gifts of administration and helping as two of the spiritual gifts essential to the body of Christ. In God’s eyes, those men who organized and passed out the food were doing as valuable a service for the Kingdom as those preaching the Word, because all spiritual gifts are crucial to the church. Whatever our spiritual gift—whether it puts us in a leadership role or we work quietly behind the scenes, we are a valuable part of the Kingdom of God. If we stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit and use our gift whenever He prompts us, we can be sure that we are helping to build up the body of Christ.
Sisters, how has the Holy Spirit prompted you to use your gifts/talents for God’s glory?
Father God, it is so awesome to be part of the body of Christ! Thank you for the spiritual gifts you have given each of us. Let us be more and more sensitive to your Spirit so that we can exercise each gift at the right time, and in the right way, to be a blessing to someone who needs You. Prompt us today, Holy Spirit…use us BIG or use us little – just use us for your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name and for the Father’s glory, Amen.
