Theme: INTEGRITY
Text: “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” – Acts 6:3, New King James Version
Comment: As the early Church grew and materials were shared among the needy, murmuring came from some of the Grecians – Jews who spoke the Greek language having been brought up outside the land of Israel. The allegation was that the Hebrews, the Jews who spoke the Jewish language, having grown up in Israel, were discriminating against them in the sharing of provisions and food. It was to address this issue that the apostles gave the directive to the Church in the text for today. We can see from this instance that whenever it matters in a Church or Country or community or business etc, when positive results are crucial, when it is crucial to deliver, men of integrity or “men of honest report” are often sought out for. The Bible says, “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6) Indeed, integrity brings promotion and recognition from God and men. The case of Joseph readily comes to mind, he was a young man who maintained his integrity against all odds and in the long run was promoted by Pharaoh. (Genesis 39:7-9; 41: 40-42) What about the case of Hanani, the brother of Nehemiah? He was singled out of the crowd and made “the ruler of the palace, (and given) charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man and feared God above many”. – Nehemiah 7:2, parenthesis ours.