Faithful on Fridays Blog

Part Five

It didn’t take long for the newly developed disciples of Christ, both men and women, to allow ethnic conflict to rise up in their community of believers. The Hebrew-speaking Jews and the Greek-speaking Jews: was there partiality in food distribution? National superiority? One culture preferred over another? OK, now this is hitting a little too close to home. Fortunately, the result was better organization in the church leadership. They formed a group called deacons whose mission was to take care of the needy. That means they focused on the vulnerable, the voiceless, and oftentimes the victim.

Diaconal ministry, or deacons, are active in attending to those who need help. They have a heart to serve as Jesus modeled,

Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” Luke 11:28

Tabitha was a doer of the Word, not a hearer only, and she put her skills into practice by sewing for the poor. In Acts 9:36-42 we read her story and what a story it is! Her mercy, exemplified by Jesus, was a testimony to others of the love of Christ and she did the right thing; that’s true justice.

But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:3-4 

Her reward? She was raised from the dead! I can’t explain it, I simply thank God that we have her tremendous story illustrating the justice of God when we fulfill His mission. She had a talent and she used it for His glory. No bells and whistles … simple humility and a heart to serve.

Cornelius had God’s attention in Acts 10, the whole chapter tells his story, when he showed mercy to the poor. It’s called ‘alms’ but simply put, it’s having a giving spirit when God directs you to a need. It was big deal that Cornelius, a Roman, would receive ministry himself from the apostle Peter, a Jew. If you look at his life you’ll see why God chose him and his family.

Summarizing, he was devoted, that means putting effort into his mission, faithfully continuing in his assignment to the poor. He didn’t just write a check, but faithfully prayed for active ways to ‘do justice’ out of his awe and respect for God. His entire family was involved in acts of generosity and continuous prayer, quite a legacy. God remembered Cornelius, He doesn’t miss a thing, gave him an angelic visitation, and sent Peter on assignment to visit him, an unclean Gentile, did you catch that? God was opening the door of salvation through Jesus Christ through this encounter of a Jew and a foreigner. Who knows what God will do when you have a heart to serve the poor and needy? 

Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times! Psalm 106:3