December 31, 2001
Family Bible Series for Jan. 6
FAMILY BIBLE STUDY:
Inaction to action
___Acts 6:1-7; James 1:22-27; 2:14-18
___By Christine Hockin-Boyd
___Texas WMU, Dallas
___What is an attitude? Webster’s dictionary says it is a mental position with regard to a fact or state; a feeling or emotion toward a fact or state; a negative or hostile state of mind; a cocky or arrogant manner.
___Probably the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of attitude is an example about someone else. Usually we never think of ourselves as having the attitude but rather the other person having an attitude problem. Why is that? Simply put it’s the human nature in us to think of the other person having the problem. However, another example that one may think of quickly pertains to the teenager or child. Most of the time, as parents, one can always think of a situation or story in which the child or teenager demonstrated an attitude and not so much a positive attitude at that. But lest we forget everyone has an attitude–positive and negative. No one is perfect thus we are all challenged with this emotional state of mind. And yes, there are those of us who get a little cocky and arrogant. What’s a person to do? What’s a church to do?
___Now it is interesting as I read background material pertaining to Acts 6:1-7 I discovered some comments pertaining to the early church. One writer posed the question, "If your church’s shortcomings distress you, ask yourself: ‘Would a perfect church allow me to be a member?’" Christians today may often think that the early church didn’t have problems or dealing with attitudes. Unfortunately there were attitudes that had to be dealt with as well. A specific situation is referred to in this passage in dealing with widows and food distribution. No, it wasn’t about a heavenly problem nor about the do’s and don’ts of sharing the gospel with someone but simply about a day-to-day problem. Isn’t it amazing how the little things can become mountains in the church today? Examples may include the temperature of how hot or cold it should be during a worship service; the selection of hymns or choruses to sing; who should be able to go first in the serving line for the Wednesday night meal; the sound level during a musical. It’s the small things that turn our focus from sharing the gospel to turning inward and being selfish. It’s these kind of things that cause attitude problems within the church.
___So, the early church had problems too. The widows were feeling neglected and not taken care of in regards to their food portions. Daily allocations were made to poorer members of the community from the common fund to which other members had contributed financially. Complaints were being made that one group was being favored over another. Suddenly there was the big, bad negative attitude creeping up in the midst of everyone. Accusations were being made from one side to another. The Hellenistic widows were upset with the Hebrew widows and vice versa. Again, here is a situation that is and has grown to unnecessary proportions. Does this sound familiar? Could this cause significant problems with the total ministry of the church? Of course. Anytime something of personal significance is not addressed it can cause our focus to turn somewhere else. This is where Satan gains in the battle.
___The twelve disciples went into action. They knew that if the situation was not dealt with quickly and properly that emotions would rise unnecessarily and relationships could be hurt as a result. Thus there was a negative attitude problem developing. In reading the scriptures you can see how the disciples carefully selected seven men to be in charge of collecting the money and then distributing the necessary allocations. The disciples didn’t want to loose ground in focusing on sharing the word of God but rather delegated the problem to be handled by other capable persons. The church was growing and thus various needs were being discovered. A good leader will identify the situation and then delegate to another to handle the situation. Why? Because allowing negative attitudes to be developed would cause further friction and disharmony within the church. The disciples knew this. It’s not that they were too good to distribute the food allocations but rather they recognized that their focus would be diluted. So, the idea of enlisting and giving full charge to capable persons was put into motion. A plan of action was developed and implemented. Who won? It’s not about winning but rather meeting needs and in this case physical needs.
___James shares with us in his writings about the importance of listening or taking heed followed by doing or putting into action. No one knows how much you care until you tell or show it. One may not know that God loves them unless you tell them. Allowing your faith to be put into action is an opportunity to witness and express God’s love through you. Salvation is not based upon works but rather allowing God to work through you in sharing and ministering to others. Don’t allow worthless faith to become a corpse. Put your faith into action NOW.
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