Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

 ³  “Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

 ⁴  “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

 ⁵  The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 

 ⁶  And these they brought before the apostles;  and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

 ⁷  The word of God kept on spreading;  and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.”  Acts 6:1-7.

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Priority is given to the ministry of the word. 

The first response of the twelve disciples shows this priority given to the ministry of the word.  “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.”

Even after suggesting a solution to the complaint, the twelve disciples repeat this priority given to the ministry of the word.  “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 

Even after this new appointment of men to take care of the daily serving of food needs for those widows, nothing is said about its success or failure.  Instead, the conclusion is only and simply:  “The word of God kept on spreading”.

The emphasis of today’s Scripture reminds me of John 6:27.  “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”  

Although the twelve disciples showed wisdom in addressing the complaint about the daily serving of the food that perishes, the twelve disciples stayed devoted to the ministry of the food that endures to eternal life.

Each of us needs to go to work to earn that food which perishes.  And, God, even much more than the twelve disciples, certainly takes of our need for food.  But, when we compare the value of the food that perishes with the value of the food that endures to eternal life, the contrast is so sharp in comparative values that Jesus made this statement:  “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life”. 

How is this truth going to effect our activities?  

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.  So that God will use us too, whether we be ministers, elders, deacons, committee members, or other helpers.  So that God will use our preaching, teaching, serving, giving, speaking, listening, reading, meditating, and other working.  So that with us too, in our individual hearts and in our collective hearts:  “The word of God kept on spreading”.