Daily Bread 8-18-16
Acts 6:1-4
1 And in those days, when the number of disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring among the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 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.
3 Wherefore brethren, look ye out among seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
ref. - Ps 72:16 - There shall be handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: And they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
Acts 4:35 - And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
2 Tim 2:4 - No man that warmth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
In this day, as the Church began to grow, it was necessary for the Ministers to find help with the daily things that needed to be taken care of in the Church. Now notice, it says when the number of disciples was multiplied. When the number of true disciples multiplied there was no shortage of men filled with the Holy Ghost. God provided as was needed. As the number of disciples grows, so does the Church, and so does the necessity to minister increase. Just as in any business, when the company grows and the number of employees increases so does the need for leaders. In the Church this is not so far different. But just because someone desires a position does not mean that they are qualified. They must go through the training and receive the proper instruction in order to take on the task at hand and become successful at what they are called to. The scripture tells these ministers to look out among the people and find seven men of honest report, filled with the Holy Ghost and wisdom. If we are seeking to "do" something in the Church have we been called? Have we become qualified? Are we willing to receive the instructions necessary to achieve the positions that are open? Have we an honest report? Are we filled with the Holy Ghost? In order for the Church to grow, the load that is on the minister must decrease so that he may fully devote himself to prayer and taking care of(the ministry) the word of God that is being given to the people. For this to happen we must be prepared spiritually, as helpers(deacons), to aid him in the day to day operations of the Church. When someone is in need, spiritually or carnally, is the only one qualified the minister? If so, then there is a lack of disciples. Again, if we want to truly be of help, we must become disciples. We must be willing to follow the ones who have been put in the lead in front of us, knowing that someday we will need followers as God moves us forward into these very same positions. Our ministers need to decrease in their worries of the things of this life so that they can tend to God's work. This scripture says that this will happen only after the number of disciples is multiplied. Our way to help them is to become spiritually capable of helping. You see, in order to properly help carnally, we know that we must be prepared spiritually. This means that we must be filled with the Holy Ghost and God's wisdom. We are taught through the scripture to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto us. If we dig in and really seek after Him and His righteousness, our spiritual needs will be fulfilled and then we will be able to help in the capacity that we are needed to make the Body of Christ(the Church) function as a capable, fruitful, being that is profitable to God in Jesus Christ!! So, let us draw closer to God and become the help that we say we want to be, and let us be that handful of corn that flourishes on the mountain tops!! God loves us!! Let's love Him back!!! Have a great day!!!!