3 Keys to Serving People with Excellence – Milt Hodges
Scriptural Context: Acts 6: 1-6
Have you ever been asked to serve in any capacity? Were you happy, sad, pumped up, or did serving put you in a bad mood?
The early church had a challenge in Acts 6 that created an opportunity for others to serve others with excellence.
The Challenge (Acts 6:1)
We read in Acts 6:1 that the church was growing rapidly and it caused some growing pains. The Greek-speaking believers complained that some of their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
The Solution (Acts 6:2-5)
A meeting was scheduled by the twelve leaders to seek God and find a solution to the challenge. They agreed to find seven men who would be responsible for managing the food program for the widows. Acts 6:3 lists three qualities for these men.
Here are three qualities we need to serve people with excellence:
- Be respected and of sound character (The bible says God looks on the heart and not the outward appearance of a person. Sometimes we’ll recruit people to serve based on the outward appearance, for polished individuals. We need to pray and seek the Lord for people who have the attitude and qualities of a servant).
- Be full of the Spirit (A big key to serving other’s well is being full of God’s presence). I love that it’s being full of the spirit and not pride; self; or serving to get something).
- Full of wisdom (Wow! God fill me with your wisdom to help me serve others and my church well).
Stephen was one of the seven chosen to serve. Everyone liked this idea, and they chose: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them. Acts 6:5-6
Results of serving with excellence
And the message of God kept on spreading, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem; and [besides] a large number of the priests were obedient to the faith [in Jesus as the Messiah, through Whom is obtained eternal salvation in the kingdom of God]. Acts 6:7
How can you do a better job of serving your church, your community, your family, your company, and others with excellence?
Here’s a tip. Start small, and start today. Do something and serve people with excellence.