1In 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. 2So 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. 3Brothers, 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 4and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
8Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. 9Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, 10but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. – Acts 6:1-10
Administration had become a challenge for the disciples. They needed to be teaching instead of taking time to administrate the distribution of food. They chose Stephen to head up the task of organizing the distribution. At first glance, we could argue that there is not much spiritual happening there. Not long after, Stephen started doing miracles and great wonders. What? He is just the administrative guy. Now he is pulling off signs and wonders? Here are some thoughts:
- Every task is a spiritual task.
- If I am not willing to do the unpopular jobs, I may not be trusted with any other. I want to tun ahead to the big stuff – the miracle and what not. God asks that I let myself be formed in the places where I am now.
- I prove trust and faithfulness in whatever job God gives me. I can remember getting some jobs and thinking “This is crazy. I can do more than this.” No matter. I should work where God has placed me.
God, forgive my complaining of some of the tasks before me. I know that they all lead to a contribution to your cause. Help me to desire you and not the position. Help me to move your own cause and not mine.
[tags]life-journal, devotions, Acts, Bible, work, miracles[/tags]