The Heart of a Servant Leader

Acts 6:1-7 describes the early church's response to a dispute among its members. As the number of disciples increased, a complaint arose from the Hellenistic Jews that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. To address this issue, the twelve apostles called a meeting of all the disciples and proposed selecting seven men, known for being full of the Spirit and wisdom, to oversee the distribution. This solution would allow the apostles to focus on prayer and ministry of the word. The proposal pleased the whole group, and they chose Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas. These men were presented to the apostles, who prayed and laid hands on them. As a result, the word of God spread, the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Devotional:

In Acts 6:1-7, we witness a pivotal moment in the early church that highlights the importance of servant leadership. As the number of disciples increased, a complaint arose because the widows of the Hellenistic Jews were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The apostles, recognizing the need to address this issue without neglecting their ministry of the word, decided to appoint seven men full of the Spirit and wisdom to oversee this task.

These seven men, including Stephen and Philip, were chosen to serve the community and ensure that everyone's needs were met. This decision not only resolved the immediate problem but also allowed the apostles to continue focusing on prayer and the ministry of the word. As a result, the word of God spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly.

This passage teaches us that servant leadership is essential for the growth and health of any community. True leaders are those who are willing to serve and meet the needs of others, even when it involves mundane or overlooked tasks. The apostles demonstrated wisdom in delegating responsibilities and empowering others to lead.

In our own lives, we are called to be servant leaders. This means recognizing the needs around us and stepping up to meet them, even when it’s inconvenient or unglamorous. It’s about being filled with the Spirit and wisdom, like Stephen and his companions, and using our gifts to serve others. When we lead with a servant’s heart, we contribute to the flourishing of our communities and the spread of God’s word.

Today, let’s reflect on how we can embody the spirit of a servant leader. Whether in our families, workplaces, or churches, there are always opportunities to serve and lead by example.

Action:

Identify a need in your community or church that you can help meet. Offer your time and resources to serve in that area, demonstrating the heart of a servant leader. Reflect on how you can empower others to join you in serving.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of servant leadership shown by the early church. Help us to have hearts that are willing to serve and eyes that see the needs around us. Fill us with Your Spirit and wisdom so that we can lead by example and contribute to the growth of Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Thought for the Day:

True leadership is about serving others with a heart full of love and wisdom. Let’s be servant leaders who reflect the love of Christ in all we do.