FAITHFUL. 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.(Acts 6:1-4) Because the Jewish law did not grant inheritances to women, the care of widows was the responsibility of the family or, if a woman had no family, the responsibility of the community. In this passage in Acts, those who were not natural-born citizens of Israel felt as though their widows were being ignored in the communal food-distribution program. Called Hellenists, these people were of Jewish descent but had grown up outside of Israel and spoke Greek. Doing great things for God begins with being faithful in whatever He asks of you. The response of the twelve, a phrase used to refer to the apostles, is most interesting. They did not say, Try to find some novice Christians with nothing else to do who are not yet ready for doing the greater works of God and give them the job of distributing the food, but rather they said, Find seven men of good reputation, mature in the faith, and filled with the Holy Spirit to take care of this need. Among the seven selected were Stephen, the churchs first martyr, and Philip, who later became known as Philip the evangelist (Acts 21:8). What is important for us to see is that there is no insignificant task in the kingdom of God and that great tasks are always assigned to those who have been faithful in small ones. I have met many a young, self-proclaimed future preacher who wanted to start behind the pulpit and never considered helping to clean the pews. I can also say, not a one of those is a great preacher today. Men and women of good reputation who are filled with the Holy Spirit are needed in every aspect of ministry, from the humanly menial to the-in our thinking-spiritually magnificent. It has been well said that God is not looking for ability, but availability-a willingness not to measure a task by our definition of success, but on the belief that doing anything for God is an undeserved privilege, even being a waiter! Stephen and Philip began that way, and people are still talking about what God did through both of them. Doing great things for God begins with being faithful in whatever He asks of you. What opportunities will He put before you today? Look for them. When they come, dont measure their importance, but remember that all the great men and women of God began by doing whatever was set in front of them. Only then could God move them on to greater and mightier things.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 17:32:53 +0000
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