“… there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”)
“… He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.” Acts 4:-36
There were others who gave; what made Barnabas stand out?
It was not the gift, it was the giver.
I can only conclude that he personified the Word of the Lord.
“If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:12-13
He loved the Lord, and therefore he loved the people; all else was insignificant.
His love and care inspired them to love and give of themselves and what they had.
He was truly “Barnabas,” a “Son of encouragement!”
As a result of the love of Christ flowing through Barnabas and others, “…there was no one needy among them.”
Acts 4:34
Love covers not only a multitude of sin, but also covers needs. 1 Peter 4:8-9
Everything was changing among the people of God.
They became kingdom minded: something bigger than themselves.
They began to participate with God by giving what they had.
Self-serving and greed were transformed into compassion and grace.
It was no longer a matter of petitioning God to “Meet their needs.”
They embraced the Spirit of the Lord and participated with Him by giving what they had.
Trusting God for all things, they could let go of all things.
They laid down what they had for others, and by having less were free to become more.
“… He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.” Acts 4:-36
There were others who gave; what made Barnabas stand out?
It was not the gift, it was the giver.
I can only conclude that he personified the Word of the Lord.
“If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:12-13
He loved the Lord, and therefore he loved the people; all else was insignificant.
His love and care inspired them to love and give of themselves and what they had.
He was truly “Barnabas,” a “Son of encouragement!”
As a result of the love of Christ flowing through Barnabas and others, “…there was no one needy among them.”
Acts 4:34
Love covers not only a multitude of sin, but also covers needs. 1 Peter 4:8-9
Everything was changing among the people of God.
They became kingdom minded: something bigger than themselves.
They began to participate with God by giving what they had.
Self-serving and greed were transformed into compassion and grace.
It was no longer a matter of petitioning God to “Meet their needs.”
They embraced the Spirit of the Lord and participated with Him by giving what they had.
Trusting God for all things, they could let go of all things.
They laid down what they had for others, and by having less were free to become more.
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