We are grateful for David Holliday, SCCF Director of Finance, who wrote this blog. On Sundays at church and many other days of the week, you will find him sharing his faith and wisdom with believers and non-believers.
Since the beginning of the Christian church, the focus has been on making disciples and showing compassion to fellow believers in need. Jesus' last directive to the disciples was to go and make disciples. Jesus also taught compassion; He healed the sick and fed the hungry. The early church was engaged in these objectives.
God's desire to reconcile man to Himself has always been to use people to accomplish his purposes and plans. God uses people to share the truth about who Jesus is; to teach and preach the gospel. God uses people to show compassion by helping people in need.
We see God at work through Christian ministries. These ministries go beyond the function of individual churches and denominations and include ministries established and run by faithful believers. These are all ministries of the church. Ministries function and accomplish their mission through the hands, feet, and voice of people. Ministries also need financial resources which is the fuel that keeps them active. Both people and financial resources are required for ministry.
All ministries have challenges and conflicts. This was no different in the early church.
In Acts chapter 6, we are introduced to challenges within the fellowship of believers. The church was rapidly growing as the Jewish people heard the message of Jesus, believed, and were baptized. These Jews were from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and languages. Two distinct groups were the Hellenistic Jews who were influenced by Greek culture and spoke Greek and the Jews who spoke Hebrew or Aramaic.
Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food (distribution). So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
Acts 6:1-4 NASB
The early church had a ministry that provided food to widows in need. The Bible sends a clear message about widows and orphans. To help them in their time of need with food and clothing and not to mistreat or take advantage of them. However, in trying to meet the needs of widows a conflict developed. The Greek-speaking widows were not being cared for like those who spoke Aramaic. There was cultural discrimination.
In the United States, we have an ever-increasing diversity of people groups. God does not care more about one group than another. What concerns God is the condition of people's hearts. No matter the color, language, or culture, all people, all of us, are sinners in need of a Savior. Jesus' sacrifice was for all people, for everyone, everywhere.
… if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
… For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for "Whoever WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."Romans 10:9-13 NASB
The ministry to widows was supported through donations which were brought to the disciples. There is nothing in this narrative that indicates there was a shortage of resources. The problem seems to be a people problem, a lack of organization and accountability to meet the growing needs of the church.
For the twelve disciples to manage and correct this problem, it was going to take valuable time away from their primary mission of preaching, teaching, and making disciples. The disciples decided to make a change, they needed help.
As much as we want to believe that we are multi-taskers. One person can only do one thing at a time. What the church needed was a division of responsibilities. The disciples presented a solution to the church. Select seven men who will be put in charge of distributing food for the widows. These were the qualifications, a good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom. These people would need to be fair; not prejudiced, spiritually sensitive, and accountable to the disciples.
The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. The word of God kept on spreading, and the number of disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
Acts 6:5-7 NASB
Seven men were chosen by the people. Interestingly, all these men have Greek names. This would seem to remove the appearance of cultural discrimination. These men were given authority by the disciples and entrusted with the responsibility of serving the people of the church.
What does God show us in this scripture?
- God loves all people.
- God uses people and financial resources:
- to share the gospel.
- to minister to people.
Are you willing to accept believers who are culturally different? Do you support Christian ministries? Do you serve people through ministry? Do you share Jesus with people?
There is much work to be done for the kingdom of God. Consider getting involved in ministry by serving and giving. God has a place for you!
