Acts 6:1-7

Acts 6:1-7  And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. Here we have the first deacons in the church. The apostles were just too busy and some important things were not getting done. God had called them to the preaching part of the church and they were neglecting that in order to do other things. So they told the people to find seven good men to do the other work - things like taking care of the widows – and the apostles could focus on praying and teaching the Bible. In the church, everyone has their own job to do. The preacher does the speaking, but he can’t do everything. Someone else has to pay the electric bill and the water bill. Someone has to get the gas in the church van and someone else has to get the snacks for the nursery. Everyone has a job to do. But if someone doesn’t do their job, the preacher will have to do it. He is the only one left. But then on Sunday, if his sermon is kind of boring, whose fault is it? It is the fault of whoever didn’t do their job that the preacher had to do. He should have the time that he needed to prepare a good message. We all need to do our part so that the church can work well. We need everyone!