Acts 6:1 “In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them 4 and devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.”
We have been following Peter’s career as a leader of the early Christian church. But there were many remarkable believers in that early Christian church. While much of the focus was on Peter with his preaching and the signs and wonders that were surrounding him, there were others who were serving faithfully without a lot of public acclaim. Let’s talk about a man called Stephen and his colleagues.
When faced with the problems of a growing church, the Twelve realized that it was time to delegate. The most pressing problem was the food distribution to widows; the Greeks were accusing the Jews of favoritism. The Twelve mentioned here were the eleven original disciples of Jesus, plus Matthias. The Twelve were smart enough to realize that they needed help; who was going to determine whether or not someone really needed food or was just trying to manipulate? Who was going to decide how the distribution was to be done? And a major question: where could they find men with servants’ hearts who would be willing to do small jobs? Oswald Chambers in “My Utmost for His Highest” makes several references to the fact that many people are ready for a prayer meeting but not to do lowly, menial tasks. And yet, God is watching to see if we will be faithful in the little day to day things; this is where our faithfulness is really tested.
The men chosen to oversee the social ministries of the church were outstanding believers themselves. Philip, who is mentioned here, is the same Philip who later preached to the Queen’s treasurer from Ethiopia. We can assume that these other men were equally strong believers and vibrant in their faith. Throughout the Bible, God has preserved lists of names. Many times in the Old Testament, God lists names of those who were righteous and also of those who failed or betrayed Him or persecuted His prophets. Here we see that these men were so good and did their jobs so skillfully that God preserved their names so that they would be remembered, even though their work was considered menial at the time.
A few years ago, there was an elderly lady in the Bipiela Assemblies of God congregation who died. This lady had begun life as “the Kotokoli Princess,” a royal from a traditional family who was married to a chief. But when this lady became a Christian, her husband, who followed traditional religions and possibly folk Islam as well, renounced her and she and her children had to move to Tamale. This lady became such a vibrant Christian that her nickname was “Madame Hallelujah.” She supported her family and herself with petty trading. Her children became pastors, and her son became a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Even though this lady faced many challenges throughout her lifetime, her glowing smile and her love for God shone through in everything she did and she touched the lives of all with whom she had contact.
Most of us have very little control over our lives, a fact that has been emphasized by the COVID – 19 pandemic. But we do have a choice as to how we will serve God. Are we willing to be like Stephen and his friends, who took on menial tasks but who did them well? Nearly two millenia have gone by, and yet the names of those faithful men are still known because they were willing to serve. If we are ready to do God’s will, even if it means doing something menial, then some day we will hear God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’ (Matthew 25:23)
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for loving us and for allowing us to be your hands and feet to those around us. Help us to be willing to do small things with great love. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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