IT'S NO DIFFERENT TODAY!

Things were not too different in the early church than they are today, in my opinion. There were squabbles then, just as now, once and awhile.

Acts 6:1 and 2 tells us:  "Hard feelings developed among the Greek-speaking believers toward the Hebrew-speaking believers because their  widows were being discriminated against in the daily food lines.  So the twelve called a meeting of the Disciples."

First of all, Thanks be to God that someone cared about those widows! But the problems with language still persists in all countries.  In the USA we want to hear English.  In Poland, I'll bet they want to hear Polish!  I know for a fact that in France they definitely want to hear French, because if they don't, they don't wait on you, even if your fist is full of green!

The early church may not have met in language-favored churches like they do today. With so many different backgrounds of people living in Jerusalem, all nationalities were  becoming Christian, and language problems were very apparent, not unlike the USA during the days of  immigrations.

But these early-church widows were hungry and probably had hungry kids at home.  I don't blame them for speaking out and neither did the Disciples. It was unfortunate that the twelve were so busy changing lives by preaching, teaching, and praying for people but the people were following them everywhere hoping for healing and hungry for teaching.  Who would see to it that all are  getting fair treatment among the poor?  Thus were born people in the churches called Deacons.  Not all churches use that name, but they do have folks in the position of helping others who need services that the pastors do not have time or energy to do.

As all Christians are to help and show love to those who cannot help themselves, the Disciples appointed seven men to do this work.  In wasn't until centuries later that women were invited to do this work by the church, even though they did the service for years and years without the credit.  All who do this work were and are pure in their intent and purpose.  It is an honor to serve the church no matter in what capacity.

So, food was parcelled out and favoritism appeared.  Well, people are the same through-out the world and time doesn't change things very much.  But the Disciples followed God and God's love and made things fair. 

Tempers stayed a bit hot as resentments are feign to last awhile in spite of good attempts...not unlike today.  God save us; not too much has changed!

Amen?

Jo