Have you ever been disappointed by a parent, teacher, or leader (including me)? Have you ever felt like a “lesser Christian” because your job was not part of a ministry?
The early church faced both of those issues as early as Acts 6. Jewish widows were receiving needed food, but those from Greek backgrounds (Hellenists) were not. It wasn’t fair, so the church complained to the twelve disciples. They responded, “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” (Acts 6:2-4).
Why was it “not right” that the Twelve should give up preaching to serve tables? Was it because serving tables didn’t matter? No! It was because God called the Twelve to preach the Word, and He called others to serve the tables. Both had important jobs to do. Both were valued positions. Both deserved honor.
How do I know? Look how seriously the Twelve took the decision of who to make responsible for this task. “And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them” (Acts 6:5-6). These were godly, respected men of faith. They also were a mix of Jewish and Greek men so that the widows would be fairly represented. Finally, they were specially commissioned for the task, prayed over, and sent in the same way they sent missionaries later.
Did they quit their day jobs? Probably not. With that many men, they could work around their other commitments. They did, however, take their calling seriously.
What does this mean for us?
1. Have you ever felt like a “lesser Christian” because your job was not part of a church or ministry? Realize that God doesn’t see it that way. He has called you to be light, a witness for Christ, right where He has you. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).
You still have an essential role in the church, the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit has gifted you specifically to do it. “But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body” (1 Cor. 12:18-20). So, find your place to serve the church and further the work of Christ in this world.
2. Have you ever been disappointed by a parent, teacher, or leader (including me)? Parents, teachers, and leaders (including church leaders) are human, just like everyone else. None of us are perfect. We still sin, need repentance, restoration, and sanctification (Rom. 2:11; Gal. 3:28; Jn 13:16; Phil. 2:6; Rom. 2:23; 1 Cor. 12:12-25; 1 Pet. 4:10-11).
The difference is that ministry leaders and teachers have a greater responsibility. “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body” (James 3:1-2). The danger is that, as leaders and teachers (and parents), we would become stumbling blocks to others.
Lord, guard our hearts and our tongues. Do not allow us to become stumbling blocks or to lead others astray, intentionally or unconsciously. Continue to correct and guide us in all truth, in Your Word, which is truth. Continue to make us more like Christ Jesus, our Lord. Help us to love You with all we have and all we are, no matter our job or role in the church. We want to honor You in all we say and do. We love You, Lord. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
By the way, if you see me teaching something untrue, please tell me! Come in love and correct me so I may better serve the Lord like Priscilla and Aquila did with Apollos (Acts 18:24-28). I’m also open to suggestions on how to better encourage families to study God’s Word together and live for Jesus.
