The Power of Specialization...Part 2...

i was doing some reading and studying in acts the other day, and this idea of The Power of Specialization (see previous post) jumped out at me. in acts 6:1-7 it says:

" ¹ In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. ² So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. ³ Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them ⁴ and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”⁵ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶ They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.⁷ So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith."

i did a bit of commentary reading and discovered it is likely that these widows who were being overlooked were being overlooked, at least partially, because of a language barrier. Which to me is another way of saying that there was a lack of ability and specialization.

And what is their solution? The apostles assign 7 people to specifically take care of these women. And i think it is only fair to assume, that at the very least, these guys possessed the necessary means to overcome this language barrier. Which is to say, they were specialized...talented and gifted in an unique way to be able to do what they did excellently.

And then i love what we see in verse 7. Specialization happened, and with it, results came. Specialization made a difference. the word spread and numbers increased rapidly. not only did specialization make sense, but it paid off...it made a difference.

i think it is important that we stop and notice this. far too often we get caught up in thinking we have to be good at everything. i believe God calls us to excellence, but that doesn't mean we have to be excellent at everything. be excellent at the things God has specialized you for, and be okay with allowing someone else to be the specialist where you are not gifted and are not interested. it was best for the apostles, why shouldn't we think it will be best for us?