In word and in deed

Acts 6:1-6 (TNIV) -

1 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. 2 So 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. 3 Brothers 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

4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
5 This 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.

6 They presented them to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

My thoughts -

This could have ended badly after verse 2. I think that's an issue we have with us today. We can't do everything so we have to triage. "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables." So we're just not going to deal with that stuff any more.

But this didn't end at verse 2. There's a verse 3. The responsibility has been handed over. And not just to anyone, but to people specifically chosen because they are "known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom". They are qualified to do this ministry. They will adequately care for the needs of the widows. This ministry will not be neglected, either.

We have a responsibility to minister in word. We also have a responsibility to minister in deed. We are to care for the poor, the sick, the disenfranchised, the widows and the orphans. We are to feed the poor and clothe the naked. The early church here recognized the need to not neglect either for the other.