Now at first sight, there are some ways to interpret this growth within the church, and the nature of disputes, some getting preference over others, which is often true. Or we can see it as a growing structure and pattern for developing organizational systems that are biblical, leading to how we run local churches. 

I have just felt uneasy here, putting a very modern western individualistic business system in place to allow churches to function.  It seems it can be a real trap to head back to developing traditions and methods that replace the actual life which God wants to give.  That is problematic for me.

So, I went back and asked God to help me see this with new eyes:  here are some observations:

1. We never hear how the issue is resolved.  Was it financial, personal, counseling related?
2. We have no idea if the chosen ones have any business acumen or not, their qualifications do not fulfill HR Standards.
3. What is the purpose of this story, just to show the source of problems?
4. Was it to show the division of responsibilities? Then why were the qualifications basically the same as for the apostles? Or the goal of discipleship for everyone?
5. Was it written primarily for Baptist churches that evolved 1500 years later to let them know the value and purpose of deacons? Ridiculous. The message must be true throughout all generations and all cultures.

So, what is the primary purpose of this story?

Why is it so critical right here?

1. I maintain it has to do with passion. Passion for Jesus and passion for His Kingdom to grow and touch all peoples everywhere.
2. When passion wanes, the signs are grumbling and complaining, stress and anger, which indicate a changing of focus.  The issue is not seeking and obeying God, rather it asks: “what is in it for me, my group, my personal comfort and well-being”.  “We always do it like this” is a death toll to passion for Jesus, obedience to him.
3. When passion wanes, the devil gets the upper hand, and we are not quick to forgive and encourage.

What is passion?  It comes from a Latin word meaning “to suffer”.  All the events leading up to this moment show the willingness, even the joy of suffering shame for Jesus.  The complaints sound logical, but do not show the willingness to suffer on the part of either group!

The key to overcoming is to restore your passion and this is how it is done:

1. This is passion: Romans 5:17 “For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”
2. Abandonment to the authority of Christ, death to self: return to the temple in the face of persecution
3. Clarity of Focus: this is what we are called to be and to do: draw people to God – built into a church that worships and multiples into other churches
4. Prayer as a priority: Paul said he prayed day and night- with tears- without ceasing- with thankfulness- in the Spirit – constantly- boldly- for godly sorrow- against the evil one
5. Making right decisions even at personal consequence.

In other words, the work of the apostles was not so much more important, they needed more leaders like them to keep the fires of passion for Jesus burning. 

What about you? What about the fires of God’s passion in your life?