Read: Acts 6:1–7
Select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the Word. Acts 6:3–4
God doesn’t ask us individuals to do everything. In fact, when we attempt to do it all ourselves, we injure Christ’s community and overlook the endowed giftedness of others.
The apostles were in charge of all aspects of church life, from preaching and teaching to dispute resolution and food distribution. As a result, important community duties were falling through the cracks and conflict began to simmer. The answer to this untenable situation was for the apostles to hand over some of their leadership responsibilities to others, while focusing their efforts on what Jesus had specifically called them to do. That focus, combined with an emphasis on shared leadership, allowed the community to continue to flourish.
What work do you need to let others tend to so that you can focus on your primary calling?
Lord, when I try to do it all myself, I find I am actually trying to replace Your position in my life. You are Lord. You are Savior. You assign work to us as You desire. Why don’t I just do my part and entrust the rest to You and to other people You are working through? In the end, as it was in the beginning, this is Your work—I am just a laborer. In Jesus’ name, I pray. AMEN.