A
cts 6:1-7: In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews
among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being
overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together
and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to
wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the
Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to
prayer and the ministry of the word.” …So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in
Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
As the number of disciples increased, the Apostles found it increasingly more diffi cult to ‘wait on tables’ and do
‘the ministry of the Word’. Therefore, they asked the disciples to select seven men from among them who were, ‘full
of the Spirit and wisdom’, to take on the responsibility of waiting on tables (including the daily distribution of food)
so releasing the Apostles to give their attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word. Once chosen, the Apostles
prayed and laid their hands on them. The Word of God spread. The number of disciples (in Jerusalem) increased
rapidly including many (Judaic) priests who converted to Christianity.
Let’s ask Jesus: ‘Am I serving You, or am I merely serving the work? Is my ministry truly unto you Lord, or is it only
ministry to your House?’ If we are pouring with sweat all the time, it’s safe to conclude that it is the House we are
serving, not the Lord. If all our busyness is related to human need, we should know that we are serving men, not
God. God wants something beyond that. It is true that we need labourers in the harvest and, sadly,
they are few. However, we also need leaders to keep the work progressing.The Lord
cannot secure everyone for service to Himself, for many of His own are
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