Charity to Others

Acts 6:1 "And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

We learned earlier that there were three factions of Jews in Judea. Hellenists, or Greek speaking and influenced Jews, traditional Hebrews and common Hebrews, consisting of the majority of the Jewish people. The "Grecians" were the elite of the population. They were highly educated and controlling. Because of their distance from Athens, they were the most refined, but in this "barbarian" culture, they could be generalized as "those who know best". Their murmuring against the Hebrews was class warfare. Their accusation is that these apostles care little for the plight of others, niot even taking care of their own widows.

It is to be noted that the Grecians were Jews as well. However, they were secular Jews! They made no attempt to help the widows themselves, but pressured the Hebrew leaders to do so. This can be viewed in two ways: 1) It was bad because they weren't generous themselves, or 2) It was good because there were needs that needed to be met! The outcome was the right thing to do: The Sanhedrin didn't legislate taxes and entitlements, but the Hebrews agreed with the need and took care of it themselves without further ado.

Caring for those burdened became a hallmark of Christianity:

James 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit (look out for) the fatherless and widows in their affliction (hardship), and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

The pure Christian does two things: takes care of the unfortunate and does the will of God! These two things can be summarized by "Love God and love others!" It's fulfilling the Greatest Commandment.

"Loving others" is "doing for others"! Part of the requirement, we find elsewhere, is the test for need. Obviously, those who can do for themselves would not need help. Even young widows were to support their own families! Christians just need to be discerning in identifying those with true need so that those less needy do not rob the needs of the afflicted!

Deacons were established to run the business of the church. Part of their job description was to procure help for the hardships of others and make the distribution to those in need. It's an important job and had qualifications: "honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom" (verse 3). In effect, these seven were co-ministers whose job was more to minister than to preach! The apostles were to pray for them and to teach them scripture, hence establishing a relationship which still exists unto this day!

As a gesture of unity the apostles "laid their hands on them" as they prayed. (verse 6). As a result of their love and charity their numbers multiplied, even Hebrew priests sensing their love were converted and Stephen was empowered to work miracles.  There is power in love!

There is no mention of any selfish apostles here nor mean-spirited apostles. They were one in the Spirit. The hallmark of Christianity and the work of the Holy Spirit is being of one accord!

Why doesn't the church grow today? It's because of lack of love between Christians, divisions among them, dissensions, hard-heartedness, selfishness, pride, and non-scriptural priorities. The Holy Ghost doesn't come on Christians who are at odds with one another. That grieves me and should you as well!

The lack of charity within the church clarifies why (unlike the priests of this era) people don't want to be a part of the church!

Our ministry, when we had the best blessing, was when I was still working. Our role was to befriend new people coming to the church After one time, the second time they came, we would take them out to dinner on us. It was a sacrifice for us and charity to them. We have made many new friends and have been blessed. Loving people is as important as loving Jesus because loving others is how we demonstrate our love for Jesus.

On the flip-side, those who aren't charitable to others are not loving Jesus! "Charity" is more than giving money or goods; it's loving even the unlovable! Loving and charity isn't an option. It's an obligation because Jesus commanded it!

What do Christians need to do? We need to CHANGE. We're supposed to be "new persons" yet the "old person" is what the "Grecians" (the world) sees! It is time for a change and it's us who must!