Mercy is the primary function of the diaconate. The deacons are to care for the poor, and they are to care for the temporary needs of the body of Christ. And that is seen in Acts 6:1–15, as the deacons (which means
Nathan Eshelmantable waiters) wait the tables and serve the church through mercy. And we looked into the Old Testament and we saw how there were those that cared for the temple, and how the temple is the body of Christ, and how the body of Christ is to be cared for as well in the New Testament.1
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.