Tag surrender

Barnabas Brings a Blessing (Acts 4:36-37)

³⁶ And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, ³⁷ having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

The And of Acts 4:36 amplifies what has been said in Acts 4:32-35. A Levite named Joses (or Joseph) made a decision to receive Jesus as his own personal Lord and Savior. Luke will bring back Joses later. He is introduced now for the purpose of providing a positive and personal example of the sharing seen in the early church.

It is noteworthy that Joses is given another name by the apostles — Barnabas. The nickname has been given as a sign of respect and to encourage a person. [This was done by Jesus Himself for Simon when He was given the name Peter or Cephas (Matthew 16:18; John 1:42). In that case it was a foreshadowing of the fisherman’s destiny; he would be a rock in the church.] Barnabas means Son of Encouragement. And Barnabas excelled in the encouragement of others (Acts 9:26f; 15:36-39; 11:20-23; 11:24).

• Intercedes to Encourage Acceptance of a Former Pharisee – Paul (Acts 9:26f)
• Encourages a Deserter with a Second Chance – Mark (Acts 15:26-39)
• Encourages the Church in Reaching Rejected Jews – Antiochene Christians (Acts 11:20-23)

The encouraging ministry of Barnabas is explained as a ministry of the Spirit through him (Acts 11:24). Having introduced the positive general idea of sharing and then an encouraging character, Luke briefly shows us an example. The account put on display Barnabas in the Spirit-inspired activity of great giving (Acts 4:37). Of his own accord Barnabas sold his land and then laid the total amount at the apostles’ feet. In doing this Barnabas speaks volumes to us about what his church means to him. And God speaks to us about a sign of our anointing — love.

The Sign of Our Anointing (Romans 5:5) – His fellowship goes farther than mere membership. It works to meet needs and encourage the family of God. In Barnabas’ example is the complete surrender of self to Jesus and a high regard for those He has put in leadership. It sees him giving without trying to control the gift.

Barnabas brings a blessing to the church. He was not commanded to sell his land and give the proceeds. He was compelled by his faith and his love of his church family. This type of giving is held up for us as a good example.

• Cheerful (2 Corinthians 9:7) – His giving was in line with his nature: encouraging; the money from the sale of the land was given with an attitude that would have been an encouragement to the fellowship?
• Sacrificial – His giving was of the sort that cannot be repeated. Once the land was sold, as a matter of course, it was no longer his. Barnabas willingly chose to have less so that the fellowship could have what it needed. In this way he looks like Jesus; the Son of Man made Himself poor so that we could be given what we need: forgiveness, favor, and a future with our heavenly Father.

Questions for Considerations

1. If my church leadership were to give me a nickname based on my behavior in the body, what would it be? Is it a nickname for which I am glad or would I like it to change?
2. What blessing do I bring to my fellowship? Do I give it gladly or with a grudge?
3. Is the blessing that I bring surrendered to the church or do I try to control it after giving it?

Action Items for Today

• Pray for an understanding of what attitude is associated with your own giving. That is, ask God to reveal if your giving is cheerful or done merely as a duty.
• Look for a way to give to your fellowship that is(1) secret, (2) sacrificial, and (3) surrendered without an ongoing goal of controlling the gift.