A PRACTICAL SOLUTION TO A PLAUSIBLE COMPLAINT

Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. 2 And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, 4 while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word." 5 What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them (Acts 6:1-6, NRSV).

A PRACTICAL SOLUTION TO A PLAUSIBLE COMPLAINT

Since the days of the apostles it has ever been the same:
        there have always been complainers in the church.
In the Bible there are so many examples one could name
        that you really don’t have very far to search.
Take the Hellenists, who grumbled at the Hebrews, we are told,
        for their widows were not getting their fair share
of the daily distribution of the food, which was controlled
        by the twelve, who didn’t want that load to bear.
So they gathered the believers and declared, “It is not right
        that we set aside the teaching of God’s word
just because we have to wait on tables morning, noon, and night.
        It is more important that the word be heard.
From among yourselves, therefore, select now seven worthy men,
        who are known to be both Spirit-filled and wise,
that we may appoint them to this task, and we ourselves may then
        on the word of God and praying focalize.”
That suggestion met with everyone’s approval, so they chose
        seven men, on whom they laid their hands and prayed.
No more trouble with the widows of the Hellenists arose,
        for the necessary changes had been made.
That should teach us all a lesson in responding to complaints,
        when a situation really should be changed,
and instead of getting angry we should emulate the saints,
        who a practical solution thus arranged.