Followers of Christ…where are you faithfully serving God…what God-given responsibility have you been given?  Philip waited tables…and to wait tables, what were the requirements?

  The apostle’s came to the prayerful and practical solution to a problem in the Jerusalem church.  Not all the widows were receiving the food that should have been given them.  The apostles could not serve tables and at the same time prepare for the ministry of the word to be given out on a regular basis.  Men were needed to wait tables.  But the requirements for that responsibility were: “seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom…”  They were put in charge to carry out that God-given responsibility.  (Acts 6:1-3)

  What “menial” responsibility has God given to you?  Keeping your home and yard in good repair and pleasing to the eye…can be a witness to others of God.  Having a smooth running home – clothes washed and available to your family, meals prepared for healthy diets, your home kept clean and “picked up”.  Your vehicles well maintained. 

  Faithfulness in the everyday responsibilities…doing your job outside your home with an attitude of helpfulness and consideration of others…all contribute to having a good reputation. 

  Faithfully reading God’s word on a daily basis, praying for God’s will in your life and interceding for others in prayer…all were requirements to “wait tables.”  Your responsibility is great (no matter how menial)… and does require you to be faithful.

  God prepares you and me for various and different responsibilities…whatever those are… we are to have a good reputation, be filled with God’s Holy Spirit and godly wisdom…even for the “menial” jobs.  Our responsibilities are to be faithful to our God, the living God, of the Bible. 

No job is too menial for God to use for His purposes.

  No responsibility is too demeaning and you and I are not to compare what God calls us to do with other believers.  Our part is to obey and be faithful in serving the living God whatever job we are doing. 

  After Stephen was stoned to death, a great persecution began in Jerusalem against followers of Christ.  The apostles stayed in Jerusalem but many others fled to Samaria and other parts of Judea.  (Acts 8:2)  Philip was one of those who went to Samaria.  Philip had been one of those seven men “waiting tables”.

  And what did Philip do in Samaria?

(NASB) Acts 8:5 “Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them.”

~ Take it to heart ~

 Where does the Lord have you working today?  By your actions and words, what are you faithfully proclaiming to others?   No matter what your job is!

Categories: The Acts of the Holy Spirit