The daily distribution of food was an attempt to provide for the poor and the widows in the Christian community. Food would either be shared or money would be given so that individuals could go and buy their own food.1 Judaism had a system for the distribution of food and supplies to the poor. The priests and the Levites most likely took responsibility here in accordance with various Old Testament commandments (Deuteronomy 14:29; Deuteronomy 24:17; Deuteronomy 26:12; Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 1:23; Isaiah 10:2; Jeremiah 7:6; Jeremiah 22:3; Ezekiel 22:7; Malachi 3:5).2 Christians from a Greek background would not have had relatives close by in Jerusalem to care for them. Moreover, having become Christians, they would also no longer receive any support from the Jews. Initially the apostles took responsibility for ensuring that everyone in the Christian church was being provided for (Acts 2:44–45; Acts 4:35). However, in view of their many responsibilities, they were unable to do justice to caring for the financial needs of all the widows; they were simply too busy.3
1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.