One of the most famous encouragers in the Bible is Barnabas. But Barnabas is not his real name.
Turn to Acts 4:36-37. In Acts 4:36, we learn that Barnabas’ actual name is Joseph, but he is called by the nickname “Barnabas” because he is known for being an encourager. “Barnabas” means “son of encouragement.” Though we just barely meet him in Acts 4, Barnabas is mentioned there because he does something that illustrates the theme of that section, a theme that starts in chapter 4, verses 32 and continues through chapter 5 verse 16.
Chapters 4 and 5 of Acts describe a period when the early church is still quite young. It is likely less than a year or two old. How did the people in the church relate to one another? What we learn, starting in chapter 4 verse 32, is that people in the church were “one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.”
As a result, look at verse 34. “There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.” Then we read that Joseph from Cyprus, aka Barnabas, the son of encouragement, was one of the people who did just that.
Encouragement includes at least this, therefore, a willingness to be sacrificially generous to the church family. Obviously, not everyone has the means to do what Barnabas did. But all of us have the ability to be generous, as God has blessed us. To be encourager is to be one who gives. Do you see people in need? Encourage them by being generous to them.
But Barnabas was more than just a man of means who gave money. Turn to Acts chapter 9, verse 27. In Acts 9, we read the amazing story of Saul, one of the Jewish religious leaders who was horribly persecuting Christians. Shockingly, Jesus reaches out to Saul in a light from heaven, and Saul responds by doing a 180 with his life, becoming a passionate disciple of Jesus.
But the Christians in Jerusalem were not present when Saul met Jesus. All they had experienced was Saul rounding them up, jailing and killing them. Of course they would be really suspicious about Saul’s supposed 180 change in belief. Of course they would be afraid that Saul was lying, concocting a plan to scam them.
No surprise, then, what we read in Acts 9, verse 26, “When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.”
Except for one person. In the next post, we find out who that person was.
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Engaging Scripture 