According to one source, there’s over 23,000 verses in the Bible . . . almost 8,000 verses in the New Testament . . . 437 of those NT verses are in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians . . . and this guy is mentioned by name in three of those verses. Just three times is his name mentioned . . . but his legacy, and I’m thinking his impact, are eternal. He and his family were among the first to be saved in the region through Paul’s ministry (16:15) . . . he and his family were of the very few actually baptized in Corinth by the apostle himself (1:16) . . . he was one of three men who Paul says “refreshed my spirit” and of whom Paul commands, “Give recognition to such people” (16:18) . . . his name is Stephanas, literally “crowned” . . . and what grabs me about him this morning, is that he was in the family business.

Now I urge you, brothers — you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints . . .    (1Corinthians 16:15 ESV)

So often I can just blow past the closing verses of Paul’s letters . . . just gloss over what appear to be like “p.s.’s” . . . skim over what is also God-breathed and given for my teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness (2Tim. 3:16). But this morning, I didn’t . . . thank You, Holy Spirit . . . and Stephanas became more than a post-script . . . he became an inspiration.

Again, don’t know a lot about the guy . . . but what I do know is that he and his household had “devoted themselves to the service of the saints.” I love the old King James translation . . . “they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” They were hooked on serving God’s people. They were pre-disposed, appointed, determined, fixed on ministering to the sheep of Jesus’ fold . . . the pilgrims on the heavenly pathway . . . the priests in the King’s kingdom . . . the bride of Christ . . . God’s special treasure and possession. Stephanas and his family devoted themselves to serving the family of God. It was a family business focused on “Family” business.

And I can’t help but think that all God’s people need to be focused on family business. Each of us has been graced with a spiritual gift for the building up of the bride of the Lamb. Each of us, as a living stone, has been placed, as God has determined, within the structure of the living temple of God that we might support one another and, being joined together, might grow into a holy temple in the LORD, with each other to be a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Each of us has been a wired in as a member, a body part, within the body of Christ . . . given a specific function and role, so that when each part is working properly the body grows and builds itself up in love. This spiritual dynamic becomes a reality when God’s people are addicted to serving God’s people.

Sure the level of focus will differ according to God’s calling . . . the service toward the saints will have different flavors . . . but, to some degree, I’m wondering if the heart of Stephanas and his family isn’t needed more within our gatherings. Way too easy to book in on Sunday at 10:45 a.m. and then clock out at 12:15 p.m. (12:30 if I have an extra cookie) . . . thinking that somehow I’ve done my “body time” for the week. Rather, shouldn’t we come together on Sunday with a purpose in mind . . . something beyond getting, but about ministering to fellow saints . . . something above being built up in my faith, but also looking for opportunity to encourage a brother or sister in theirs? And shouldn’t I be about family business beyond Sunday mornings? Shouldn’t I be developing relationships . . . looking for opportunities to lend a hand . . . staying in touch with . . . getting together to encourage . . . serving the saints of God beyond the Sunday service and engaged as well in Monday through Saturday service?

Isn’t it a worthy ambition to be a bit more like Stephanas and his family . . . and to be more purposeful about engaging in family business?

I’m thinkin’ . . .