Laymen for the Gospel: You Don't Have to be Called to the Ministry to Minister to Those Around You

"Brothers and sisters, 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 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word,” Acts 6:3-4.

Context: Need arose for the widows to be part of the "distribution of daily food" because the Hebraic Jews weren't meeting this need. So the apostles responded with, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables" (vv. 1-2). Similar to Jethro's advice to his son-in-law, Moses, responsibility needed to be divided up.

Specifications: Seven was the number of men to be chosen, and "known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom" were the criteria. They weren't supposed to be "thought" to be filled with the Spirit and wisdom, but known to be. The importance of the duty necessitated the presence of these characteristics. These men would represent the ministry, Christians as a whole, and most importantly, the caring Savior Jesus Christ. It was no light duty.

We all fulfill different positions within reaching out to the world or within the church. Sometimes, I think we get this view, especially if having been raised fundamentally or having attended a Bible college, that only pastors fill a vital place in the ministry. Plumbers, mechanics, dentists, and so on tend to feel as if they do not have a place in the ministry of the church becuase they are just laymen. But that is the profession God has led them to fulfill (if they followed his leading to get there). He gives us different talents and abilities to enjoy and perform different jobs. However, he uses people with greasy hands to fufill work in his church, even if that doesn't mean he is called to preach. Really? Even if you don't preach?

The apostles didn't say, "Get the preachers, the eloquent speakers, the orators." No, they desired certain spiritual qualities.
So if you fix a car, you can help in a church. If you install refrigerators, you can help in a church. Focus on having a heart that is ready to be used as a blessing and clean vessel. A dirty vessel cannot be used because just as an unpolished mirror distorts the image, so a dirty mirror who is a Christian will distort its reflection of Christ, thereby obstruction unbelievers to have a clear view of Him.

You don't have to be called to the ministry to minister. We are the ministry. Not everyone is called to preach and pastor, but we are needed to help those around us.