A quick note about this short element in Acts 6:1; there were widows among them. Men were appointed to care for and serve them. They were chosen by the congregation (not by appointment by the leaders), and the leaders laid hands on them, blessed and commissioned them, to carry out this work.
I guess my point is that in a world without pensions or endowments, the church came together and served those who had no means of support.
Serving others is all good, but those who have need must also be humble to ask for support. To do so is to admit that we do not get by on our own strength, but by God’s provision through those closest to us.
