Acts Chapter 6: Verses 2-8 (NIV-UK)
So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.’
This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.
1 Corinthians Chapter 10: verse 31(NIV-UK)
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Making sure that the widows were looked after was an important ministry, but it was something that the disciples couldn’t take on along with their call to spread the gospel. So they chose a team to take responsibility for this. But it was taken just as seriously as any ministry should be. Those chosen were filled with the Holy Spirit and with wisdom. And they were prayed over before they began their work.
Stephen worked among the people as he was called to, but he moved wholeheartedly under God. And God used Him. We know that he was used so powerfully that he became the first Christian martyr. His attitude was never, “it’s only waiting tables.” He was being an ambassador for Jesus amongst the people, and it showed.
Whatever we are asked to do for God, whether its in the public eye or not, we should follow Stephen’s example and do it wholeheartedly for God because it’s not “just” anything. Stephen ended up preaching the Gospel in front of a large crowd of people who would end up stoning him. But he was so full of the presence of God that lives would be impacted, including Saul, later to become the Apostle Paul. By being obedient and wholehearted in what God calls us to do, means that He can use us in other things whenever He needs to. We don’t know where things will lead or who we might influence. But we need always to do whatever it is under God’s anointing.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for showing us that we should take everything we do for You seriously and with wisdom and in the power of the Spirit. No work done in Your name, even the most practical, should be a lost opportunity to bring praise and glory to Your name and to share the Gospel. Help me then to be as obedient and wholehearted as Stephen. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.