CHAPTER 6
Stephen & Stewardship
Chapter 6 starts with a complaint being brought before the apostles – the widows were being neglected in the distribution of food. Their solution is to have 7 men appointed and blessed to manage the task.
Stephen, one of the elected, is described as being full of faith, grace, and power. Being full of the Holy Spirit, he performed “great wonders and sign among the people.”
Opposition arose and brought him before the Jewish elders with false accusations of blasphemy against God and against the law of Moses. The chapter ends saying:
“All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” v.15
Let’s Talk About It
A HUmble Hero
Whether you’re called to serve in the limelight, or elected to distribute food to widows, doesn’t determine the impact that you can have. Stephen’s life led to the conversion of Saul, who, as Paul, wrote half of the books in the new testament!
Christian Stewardship
A steward is someone who manages the possessions of another. We are God’s possession. Examine how your gifts, talents, skills, understanding, resources, or even positioning, can be or are being used for the kingdom of God. If you are unsure of your purpose in this regard, read 1 Corinthians 12 which talks about different functions of the members of the body of Christ. Even exhortation, or encouraging someone, is in itself a purpose by which one can be invaluably useful and proud.
