What’s the one thing needed? Listening to the needs and still getting your core work done.

By mmayer

Acts 6:1-7

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. ²So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. ³Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them ⁴and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.’

⁵This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

⁷So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

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Acts 6:1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Greek speaking Jews among them complained against the Hebrew speaking Jews because their widows were being overlooked
in the daily distribution of food.

Growth brought challenges for the early church in Jerusalem. There was too much for the apostles to keep on top of. They were smart enough to recognise that, listen to the concerns, and look for ways to make sure those practical needs were met, and different groups were looked after.

For the disciples, the ‘one thing needful’ was to keep preaching and teaching about Jesus, and praying for the new believers. So they got the community to choose 7 men, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, to look after the daily food distribution to believers in need. They knew that Christian love had to be practical and effective. They also knew that wasn’t their task.

What is the ‘one thing needful’ for you? With all the things clamouring for your attention and time, what is the core thing about who you are in Christ? For Peter and the apostles, who had been mentored and chosen by Jesus, their work was to tell about Jesus.

How does God’s love and wonder come alive in you? How does the message of forgiveness change you? That will help you discover what is the one thing needful for you. All the other things in your life can then find their rightful place around that.

Pastor Michael Mayer