daily java

Daily Java:

But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. So 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 6:1-4 NLT)

We were talking about committees once and someone said, show me in the Bible where there were committees. I was stymied and didn’t know what to say.

But then it came to me. Right here is the first committee. We usually use this for deacons, but when it came down to it, this was a special needs committee.

There has always been an argument between the conservative and the liberal factions of anything. And whichever one is dominant usually tries to run roughshod over the other. Even in the church this happens because, after all, the church is made up of people. And people act goofy.

In this passage, the conservative Jews, who always felt superior to others, were neglecting the Hellenistic Jewish widows. The Hellenistic Jews were those who were more modern and Grecian in their appearance and lifestyle. They were not necessarily liberal in theology, just in custom and manner. They just didn’t wear the special haircuts, or the long beards or any of the conservative ways of dress or action.

Because of this, the conservative Jewish element felt more godly, and that they could slight them. And their widows were not being fed like they were supposed to. The liberal Jews felt that it was unfair. And it was.

The argument cut into the apostles’ time. Their job was to teach and move this young church forward. It was not to make sure that elderly women had dinner. It wasn’t that this was not important. It was very important. There were precedents set that needed to change. The church needed to know that everybody in it were important, not just those who felt they were in charge.

This committee was formed to addressed the problem. All of the leaders in this committee, deacons if you will, from the Greek word used here, diakonos, or minister, were trusted members of the liberal Jewish community. Even the conservatives could tell that they were full of the Spirit.

This freed the apostles for their jobs, which were vital to the growth of the church. However, this was also vital in that all needed to know that they were important. Also one group needed to know that they did not have control over the church.

So the committee was formed, and probably lasted until the food program was in place.

Committees are only bad when they stay in place after their usefulness is gone. Then they become sacred cows and sacred cows are never good. They stymie the church themselves after a while and need to be disbanded.

But a good committee frees the pastor and the leaders for what is more important: prayer and teaching the word. And there is no group of people in the church that is more important, no matter how they may feel, or how they may dress or act.

For you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)