Acts 6:1-6: a reflection

1Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. 2The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. 3Therefore, select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.” 5These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch, 6whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

The early church has a problem: some widows are being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The apostles see it, but they also see they cannot do everything themselves. It is not right, they say, that we should give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. So instead of either neglecting the widows or abandoning their own calling, they find a third way: choose seven trustworthy, Spirit-filled people to oversee this service.

Notice the wisdom in it. The apostles do not try to be everything and do everything; they recognize the limits of their calling and raise up others to share the load. And they do not treat the practical work as beneath notice, either. Caring for widows matters; it just is not theirs alone to do. So they guard their own core work, prayer and the word, while ensuring the overlooked are served, by distributing the ministry rather than hoarding it.

There is a lesson here about how good work gets sustained. You cannot do everything, and trying to often means both your central calling and the practical needs suffer. The healthier way is the apostles' way: know what is yours to do, raise up and trust others for the rest, and honor every part of the work as ministry, whether it is prayer or serving tables. Where are you trying to carry what you were meant to share? Distribute the load, dignify the practical, and guard the thing that is truly yours to do.

Lord, I cannot do everything, and trying to often means everything suffers. Give me the wisdom of the apostles: to know what is truly mine to do, to raise up and trust others for the rest, and to honor every part of the work as service to you. Help me share the load rather than hoard it.