Everybody Can Contribute
So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said … “Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.” Acts 6:2–3
Every week in our church bulletin there are calls for volunteers. Help in the nursery. Help with children’s ministries. Help for special events. Maybe those requests come in verbal announcements or on social media at your church. But I’m sure they come, because churches always need volunteers. 
The first-century church was no different. In Acts 6, some church members were complaining about overlooked needs among the congregation. The apostles listened to the complaint but were wise enough to know they couldn’t do everything on their own, so they chose seven men to help with the daily ministries of the church (v. 5).
Spreading out responsibilities not only meant that more was accomplished but also that more people were involved. What was the result? “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly” (v. 7).
The Bible tells us that every Christian is given at least one spiritual gift to help build up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7). Regardless of our age and our abilities, there are ways we can serve God by serving in our local church. In my church, middle school teens light the candles in the sanctuary each Sunday. Octogenarians greet people as they enter the church. High school students help with vacation Bible school and a special needs camp the church hosts in the summer. Elementary-aged children participate in worship some Sundays with musical dramas. Other members write cards, wash dishes, pull weeds, cut firewood, serve in a local food pantry, and knit prayer shawls. Everyone can do something.
But notice that the apostles also placed conditions on someone’s use of their gifts: “who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom” (v. 3). In 1 Corinthians 12:7, Paul adds the phrase, “for the common good”—to edify and encourage others. Sadly, in some churches, those who volunteer don’t meet those qualifications, which can lead to a lot of problems. This happened in the church at Corinth, and the apostle Paul had to rebuke them: “I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder” (2 Corinthians 12:20). The sins Paul lists are sure signs that someone in the church (maybe even me) is not using spiritual gifts under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
If you’re unsure what your spiritual gift is, talk to God about it. Study the list on an online site such as the Tyndale House blog. Schedule a visit with your pastor. God equips us with gifts so that we can bring him glory by using them. How are you using your spiritual gifts to build God’s kingdom and equip his people?
Dig Deeper
In 1 Corinthians 12:4–11, what point is Paul making by using the words different and same repeatedly?
Read Paul’s comparison of a physical body to the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12:12–30. What body part would you compare your gifts to? How do you need to change your view of those gifts in relation to what Paul says about all gifts?
What does Paul say about the purpose of spiritual gifts in Ephesians 4:11–16? Are you using your gifts for those reasons? What might the Holy Spirit need to help you work on?
Denise K. Loock
This devotion is part of our series on the book of Acts.