Finding God's solution when problems arise

The early church was experiencing something remarkable. Thousands were coming to faith. Healings were happening regularly. People were so generous that they sold their homes and lands to help those in need. By all accounts, this was a thriving, vibrant community of believers walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.

And then came the complaint.

The Unexpected Challenge of Success
Acts chapter 6 opens with a jarring transition: "Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenist arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution."

Notice the timing. This problem didn't emerge during a season of decline or spiritual drought. It surfaced precisely when the church was growing—when God was moving powerfully and lives were being transformed. The church had swelled to somewhere between 10,000 and 15,000 people, and with that growth came increased needs and, inevitably, problems.

This is a pattern we see throughout life. Growth—whether in a church, a ministry, a family, or our personal walk with God—brings blessings, but it also brings challenges. More people means more needs. More needs means more opportunities for things to fall through the cracks. And when needs aren't met, problems arise.

Understanding the Real Issue
The complaint was legitimate. Greek-speaking Jewish widows were being overlooked in the daily food distribution while Hebrew-speaking widows were being served. This wasn't a matter of personal preference or petty grievance—real people with real needs were being neglected, likely due to cultural prejudice.

Here's an important distinction: some complaints arise from legitimate unmet needs, while others stem from personal preferences. The widows weren't complaining because they didn't like the menu or the serving times. They were hungry and being treated unequally. That's a problem that demands attention.

In our own lives, we must learn to discern the difference. Is this issue truly important, or is it simply about how I prefer things to be done? Does this reflect a genuine injustice or need, or is it about my comfort and convenience?

The Enemy's Strategy
Satan loves to attack when God is working. When a church is growing, when believers are maturing, when the gospel is advancing—that's precisely when the enemy seeks to create division and distraction. He takes legitimate issues and uses them to disrupt unity and derail the mission.

Notice what was happening: the church's focus had been outward—people were being saved, the gospel was spreading. But when this problem arose, the focus turned inward. And when God's people become consumed with internal conflicts, the work of reaching the lost suffers.

This doesn't mean we ignore real problems. It means we must be wise about how we address them, recognizing that the enemy will attempt to use any issue—even legitimate ones—to steal our joy, kill our unity, and destroy our effectiveness.

The Power of Prayer and Wisdom
The apostles' response is instructive. They didn't ignore the problem or dismiss the complaint. Neither did they panic or immediately react. Instead, they sought God's wisdom for a solution.

While the text doesn't explicitly say they prayed, their response suggests divine guidance. They didn't pass out suggestion cards or take a survey of opinions. They didn't try to please everyone or implement the first idea that came to mind. They discerned God's solution and presented it to the people.

Their answer? "Pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

This wasn't about the apostles thinking they were too important to serve tables. It was about calling and priorities. God had called them specifically to preach and pray. If they abandoned that calling to meet this need—however legitimate—they would neglect what God had assigned them to do.

The Qualifications That Matter
The apostles didn't just say, "Pick seven guys." They gave specific qualifications: good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and full of wisdom. These weren't the only men in the church who met these criteria, but they were the ones God chose.

This reminds us that God cares deeply about who serves in His church. Character matters. Spiritual maturity matters. Wisdom matters. The solution to problems isn't just finding warm bodies to fill positions—it's seeking Spirit-led people who can serve with excellence and integrity.

Being Part of the Solution
The apostles gave the congregation the opportunity to participate in solving the problem. They could have appointed seven men themselves, but instead they invited the people to choose.

This is a crucial principle: when we identify problems, we should seek to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. It's easy to complain. It's harder to step up and help fix what's broken.

When we bring concerns to leadership—whether in a church, workplace, or family—we should come prayerfully, humbly, and with a willingness to be part of the answer. If our idea isn't implemented, we trust that God is sovereign and continue to pray rather than becoming bitter or divisive.

The Beautiful Result
Look at what happened after they addressed the problem: "And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith."

The church kept growing. The gospel kept spreading. Even priests—those most resistant to the message of Jesus—were coming to faith. Why? Because the problem was addressed properly, unity was maintained, and the mission could continue.

Had they ignored the problem or handled it poorly, verse seven wouldn't have happened. The church's witness would have been compromised, and the advance of the gospel would have been hindered.

Applying These Truths
When problems arise in our lives—and they will—we must:

Identify the real issue. What's actually wrong? Is this a legitimate need or a personal preference? Don't just treat symptoms; get to the root.

Pray for wisdom. Before talking, before acting, pray. Ask God for His solution, not just validation of your ideas.

Seek to be part of the solution. Don't just complain; contribute. Be willing to serve, to sacrifice, to help fix what's broken.
Trust God's timing and methods. If your solution isn't chosen, trust that God is working.

Keep praying. Keep serving. Don't let the enemy use disappointment to create bitterness.
Maintain focus on the mission. Don't let internal problems distract from the greater purpose of glorifying God and reaching the lost.

Problems are inevitable. Growth brings challenges. But when we handle difficulties with prayer, wisdom, and unity, God continues to work powerfully through us. The question isn't whether problems will come—it's whether we'll address them in a way that honors God and advances His kingdom.