TUESDAY February 7, 2023
The Need for Leadership
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.”
Acts 6:1-2
In the early church, believers had received the power of the Holy Spirit, and through them, God was doing a great work. The number of believers was greatly multiplying. God was purging sin from the Church. Ananias and Sapphira, after selling a piece of property, had lied about the amount they gave and suffered the consequences––God’s judgment. They were smitten dead. Together they lied against the Holy Spirit! In the fear of God, the Church remained united and not divided, and as a result, its borders expanded.
The Apostles were strong leaders. You see, another problem arose from within the church––a dissension. The Hellenists were Greek-speaking Jews from the Diaspora (the dispersion of Jews beyond Israel). They returned to settle in Jerusalem. The Hebrews were Jewish Christians who already lived within Jerusalem, and they spoke Aramaic.
Those Jews living within the city saw themselves as being better than those coming into Jerusalem from the outside. The Hellenists murmured and complained because they felt their widows were being neglected.
As the church grew, and issues needed to be resolved, there came the need for more leaders. It is the same in churches today. But who is qualified to lead? Will they step up to lead God’s people? Even though most people are working or going to school, somehow, somewhere, one day, they will find themselves in a place of leadership.
Know this: God places a call on your life when He sees you have the right heart to lead. There is a lot of good you can do. He will equip you.
God never calls a person [into His service] without equipping him. I know that from experience.
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
