Deacons

 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
Acts 6:1 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/act.6.1.ESV

We might assume that the early new testament Church was a golden age for God's people. We read early in Acts that everyone shared what they had and noone was in need. Inevitably however, as the number of disciples increased, so did problems.

The Hellenists were people who had come to faith from a secular background. The Hebrews were people who had come to faith from a religious background. For whatever reason, the Hellenist widows were getting overlooked.

I love the Holy Spirit's solution to this problem in the early Church. He basically invented the church office of deacons (literally 'servants'). These were to look after physical needs of God's people, especially destitute widows for example.

Elders (or overseers) were to focus on ministering the word of God and prayer. Deacons were to free up elders to do their spiritual work. This isn't to say that deacons don't have to be spiritual, they do, in order to be fair and compassionate to those they minister to.

'Father God, help us to look out for those in need amongst Your people. Please help our churches to seek to meet people's physical needs as well as their spiritual needs. In Jesus' name, amen'

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