Know Your Gifts - Acts 6:2

"We apostles should spend our time preaching and teaching the word of God, not administering a food program..." Acts 6:2

Not that there was anything wrong with a food program, it was the byproduct of the apostles' teaching to care for each other. The point is, the apostles were realizing that this activity was not their call or their gifting. And it was drawing them away from their God-given purpose--preaching the Word. Once they released this responsibility to others who had the gift of administration, "God's message was preached to ever-widening circles." Acts 6:7 What a concept! If you concentrate your efforts in your area of gifting, God's word spreads! This is a valuable lesson for church leaders today. Leaders are called to lead, not administer. I believe that it is one of Satan's most powerful tools that pastors feel the need to CONTROL every aspect of their ministry--this is not a biblical model. Then they wonder why they are working 24/7 but their churches are either not growing, or they are not healthy. God's word says to go back to your first passion. What is the gift he gave YOU? Are you using it?

Jesus, thank you for the perfect business model for church as well as life in general. Keep my eyes focused on the gifts you gave ME, not what you gave someone else.
Today's reading: Ex. 25-27; Acts 6