We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:2-4, NIV)
Even if you are the D-player in a four-man scramble you have a very important role to play. Every team needs a test dummy. You know those situations when you cannot agree on how the putt breaks so you just decide to have your D player aim straight to give the rest of you a better chance of making it. Now granted, you may have to ignore the funky spin they put on the ball in the early part of the putt, but once the ball gets rolling somewhat straight you eventually get a good idea of what the putt does.
If you thought you were being asked to putt first all the time in your scrambles because the others thought you were just good at batting leadoff, I am sorry to have to break the news to you. Nonetheless, you play an important role.
When it comes to the body of Christ, you have a role to play as well. This was established from the earliest days in the history of the church. Despite the constant persecution of the earliest followers of Jesus, the congregation was growing at a rapid rate. Not only was the message of the gospel being preached by the twelve apostles drawing numbers of people into faith in Christ, but the good works and miracles they were performing in the Jerusalem community were creating quite a stir.
They quickly realized that they could not do all the work, continue to preach, and serve all the people in need. One particular issue that was of great emphasis of Jesus was taking care of widows. Many of the widows in their community were being overlooked for cultural reasons by the Jewish synagogues in the distribution of food. The twelve apostles realized they could not do everything themselves. “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 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’ (Acts 6:2-4).”
Two of the seven men chosen are Stephen and Philip, who would play significant roles in the early church. Paul later writes about this very thing, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ, we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:4-8).
Jesus did not invite us onto his team to sit back and watch others do church or ministry. He has a role for all of us to play and it is not to just be the test dummy. After all, “faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26).
Prayer: Father, please show me what role you desire me to play in ministering to others.