Acts 6:2-4 English Standard Version (ESV)

 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

This Bible passage teaches us that it's not wise to be involved in everything that is going on around us. Instead, we should select our activities cautiously so we can remain calm and steady in life.

As the early church was increasing in size, so were its needs.

One of the greatest needs was to organize the food distribution to the needy. The apostles chose to focus on preaching, so they left others to run the food distribution program. Each person in a church has a vital role to play in the life of the church.

I believe those in a leadership position in church should never find themselves overwhelmed by responsibilities beyond their callings or skills, but should determine their God-given abilities and priorities and ask or assign others to help.

Another important thing to notice from this portion of Scripture is the requirements for the men who were to handle the food program: they needed to be full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom.

People who work closely with others should have these qualities. On the other hand the apostles' priorities were correct. They did not neglect the ministry of the Word because of the administrative operations.

“Choose your battles wisely. After all, life isn't measured by how many times you stood up to fight. It's not winning battles that makes you happy, but it's how many times you turned away and chose to look into a better direction. Life is too short to spend it on warring. Fight only the most, most, most important ones, let the rest go.” 

― C. JoyBell C.

Acts 6:2-4 gives us an example of wisdom. The apostles recognized their need for help in order for their priorities to keep in line and their true assignment to be fulfilled.

God provides for whatever He assigns to us. He will make sure we have all the people we need to help us, but it is not their fault if we will not rely on them. I mean, why would God ask us to do something, to only sit and watch us be frustrated and miserable because the burden is too much? God meets all of our needs including the people we need to work with.

It depends on us to be guided by His Spirit and discern the battles that belong to us and the ones we need to let go. For the sake of our calling and purpose and also for the sake of our peace.

May the Lord guide us with His wisdom in order to discern as well, may He give us the humility to reach out for help when we need to.

Have a lovely blessed weekend,

Love from Botswana

Angie