“Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.“
Acts 4:36-37

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OCTOBER 2, 2024

Here is our introduction to Barnabas. Being from Cyprus, he would have been part of the Diaspora, the Jewish people living outside the land of Israel but now in Jerusalem as a Christ-follower. To have received a nickname of Encouragement from the apostles seems indicative of someone who regularly looked for opportunities to affirm and care for those around him. One of the ways he built up the church was by selling a field and contributing the proceeds to the ministry in Jerusalem.

Taking this money from the sale of personal property and placing it at the apostles’ feet would have been an act of worship. It is a picture of freely relinquishing what belonged to oneself and releasing it to meet the needs of others. There were no strings attached to this gift by Barnabas. It was not given under compulsion, but undoubtedly with the assurance that the Spirit led him to do so. Subsequently he was free to travel the Mediterranean world to spread the gospel, often in the company of Paul, seemingly unencumbered by responsibilities such as land ownership.

This is a radical thing to do! The dramatic growth of the early Jerusalem church occurred in an atmosphere of radical obedience on the part of the first believers.

Does God ask us to do things that seem crazy at the time? The Bible recounts multiple examples of people leaving the comfort and safety of the familiar to follow God’s direction: journeying to unknown lands, fishermen dropping their nets to follow Jesus. These are examples of what it means to walk by faith and not by sight.

Walking by faith is a challenge for all of us. Whether giving sacrificially of our time or resources, traveling to a distant place, or serving in a local ministry, we struggle to make and keep commitments as believers who claim Jesus is Lord. He is Lord, but is He Lord and Master of our lives? Are we willing, like these early, Spirit-filled Jesus followers, to give everything?

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • Has God asked you to do something radical? How did you respond?
  • Is there something tying you down from serving the Lord?
  • Are you willing to part with it to follow God’s leading?
  • What evidence could be cited from your life to demonstrate that Jesus is your Lord and Master?

 

Church Reading Plan: Ezekiel 35; Psalm 85