In Acts 6 we read that as the young church in Jerusalem was growing, they had a problem – nothing earth-shaking about that. The problem was a complaint that non-Palestinian, Greek-speaking widows were being neglected at the expense of Hebrew widows in the daily serving of food. Caring for widows was evidently a significant ministry in that situation. The solution posed by the apostles was that the congregation select seven men to carry out the task. What is noteworthy is the qualifications given by the apostles for those selected. They were to be men: 1) of good reputation; 2) full of the Spirit; and 3) full of wisdom. Not one mention of skill or experience in food service, even though they were being chosen for a very specialized task. They apparently believed that if a man was of good character and led by the Spirit of God, then he would make a good, non-partial servant of food to widows. One of the seven chosen, a man named Stephen, was also said to be full of faith and of the Holy Spirit (v. 5), and full of grace and power (v. 8). Evidently, the apostles knew what they were doing. Once these men were commissioned, the problem was never mentioned again. Even more impressive are the results mentioned in verse 7:
And the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
I have to read that last part twice to make sure I got it right: many of the (Jewish) priests were becoming obedient to the faith; i.e., faith in the Jesus they had staunchly opposed! And it was in part because a group of men – very godly men – had a heart to serve the Lord and His church in any capacity that was needed. It’s also a vivid reminder that character needs to be higher on our priority list than what the world values when it comes to preparing ourselves and others for ministry.
For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7b).