[Because some widows were being neglected in the food distribution,] the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, "We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word."
— Acts 6:2-4 NLT
Key Thought
Each of Jesus' disciples needs to know his or her primary calling to live the mission. The apostles knew theirs; as they said, it was to "spend our time in prayer and teaching the word." Taking care of widows is vitally important (James 1:27); doing so was especially important in this situation with the concerns about ethnic and language prejudice. The apostles resisted the temptation to get involved personally. Instead, they proposed a framework for the disciples to meet this need while the apostles remained true to the work Jesus had called them to do. Leaders cannot lead by doing everything. Leaders fulfill their primary responsibilities, then ask for God's people to serve in other ways and help solve other problems — and doing so can lead to accepting a new calling, as was the case for the seven men who were selected in the subsequent verses!
Today's Prayer
O Father, we want to be your people. We want to live on mission for Jesus and his Kingdom. However, we get diverted and divided by all sorts of problems. We need your guidance, O God, through the Holy Spirit. We want to inspire new leaders by involving other disciples in ministry. We want to meet the needs of your people through tender care. We want our leaders to remain focused on their primary tasks that you have called them to fulfill. Help each of us, Lord Jesus, to see our need to be involved, to use our spiritual gifts, and to remain true to the calling you have given us. We pray this to your glory. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
- Acts 13:1-3
- 1 Timothy 4:12-16; 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, March 21, 2024
Illustration
![Illustration of Acts 6:2-4 NLT — [Because some widows were being neglected in the food distribution,] the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, "We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word."](https://img.heartlight.org/overlazy/creations/24661.jpg "Illustration of Acts 6:2-4 NLT — [Because some widows were being neglected in the food distribution,] the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, \"We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.\"")
About This Devotional
Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.
Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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