30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
01 Acts 06 01-07 THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL AS THE CHURCH LEARNS TO SERVE 07 Acts 06 03-04 Leaders who shoulder responsibility
📖 Acts 06:01-07
07 – 18Jul2023 – *Leaders who shoulder responsibility* - _Acts 06:01-07_ - THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL AS THE CHURCH LEARNS TO SERVE - Bible reading: _Genesis 41:33-36_
“Lord Jesus, we pray that we will be leaders, who are close to You in every way. In Your name, we pray. Amen.”
_Acts 6:3-4 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit 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."_
*Whom we may appoint over this business*
Though this matter of the daily distribution was more than just serving tables, it was a task that had to be done in an efficient manner. There was a need for practical wisdom and the seven men who were to be appointed for this task had to be those who had exposure to such work or were capable to handle this duty.
Joseph was a man who had practical wisdom in the task of distribution of food.
In the house of Potiphar, Joseph was responsible for the entire household. _Genesis 39:4-6 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. (5) So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field. (6) Thus he left all that he had in Joseph's hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance._
This was where Joseph had hands-on training in food distribution.
Then Joseph was given a tougher assignment. This was in the dungeons of Egypt. _Genesis 39:22-23 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. (23) The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper._
All the prisoners were under the responsibility of Joseph. It would have been an extremely difficult assignment for the prisoners would have resented having a young man over them, who was a Hebrew. Yet Joseph was there trained in food distribution and handling difficult people.
Therefore, when Joseph stood before Pharaoh, he was able to give him practical advice on food security and distribution.
_Genesis 41:33-36 "Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. (34) Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. (35) And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. (36) Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine."_
We can see how the Lord was training Joseph in the cauldron of affliction. Joseph would have been troubled about what was happening in his life, but this was his preparation time to become the chief executive of Egypt, next to Pharaoh.
We too are perplexed and we question God as we go through tough experiences. These are the times when the Lord is training us through practical exposure to various tasks. It is important to learn through these experiences instead of complaining, grumbling, and even escaping from that situation.
_Hebrews 13:21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen._
*These leaders, chosen to take care of the daily distribution, were to be those who were exposed to such similar activities and therefore suitable for this assignment.*
It was the apostles who would appoint the leaders for this task of daily distribution, not the disciples.
Though we see a great amount of devolution and delegation, we still see that the apostles did not abandon their responsibility over this issue. *Though there was ownership of the resolution of the crisis shared with the church, the apostles were still the ones on whose shoulders this matter rested.*
We see that the Lord has sent us into the world in His name and in His authority. Though we are in the world, it is He who is fully responsible for us. _Matthew 28:18-19 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "*All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19) Go therefore* and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,_
This is again very tragic to see in our times that in several cases leaders have abandoned their posts and they pass the blame for the crisis onto others.
The Lord is looking for leaders, who reflect the nature of our Lord. *We will be those who do not abandon our posts but we will be those on whose shoulders God can place His concerns.*
```May we be leaders who are trained to take responsibility and we will also be leaders who will shoulder responsibility and not blame others.```