When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up? Do you remember? I don't mind telling off on myself a little. Mom told me the first thing I ever said I wanted to be was a dog. Apparently, I wanted to eat out of a bowl like ours did. I have no memory of this. I was pretty young at the time. Mom still laughs about it; but I can't even begin to imagine what I was thinking back then.
I do remember wanting to be a child psychologist -- or a teacher -- or the house parent of an orphan's home. It's funny - all these different things I wanted to be or do involved children. My occupation for the last 28 years or so has nothing to do with little ones. Ah, but I do love kids! I have my 2 and 3 year old Bible class; and I delight in going to Christian camp every year as a counselor.
That's way more than enough about me. :) What did you want to be? Some of us may have dreamed of being actors or professional athletes or musicians. Some may have dreamed of being an astronaut, a doctor or a nurse, or maybe a policeman or a fireman ... or any number of occupations. Many of us changed our dreams along the way. But a few of us actually turned out to be who we said we would be!
None of that matters. Well, let me re-phrase that. Of course it matters. We have to make our way in this world. We have to take care of ourselves and our families. There are many noble professions and many different careers for one to pursue. However, what we chose as our occupation is not nearly as important as the kind of person we've chosen to be. What we do doesn't matter nearly as much as who we are.
It isn't what we do on our jobs that determines our eternal destiny. It is who we are as we go to work every day. And no matter what kind of profession we have -- there is one thing everyone can be. It doesn't take years of education or any special training. We can start anytime. It simply takes a good and willing heart. I'm talking about being a Barnabas.
Do you remember who Barnabas was? He is mentioned in the scriptures and he left a worthy example for us to follow. We first hear of Barnabas in the last few verses of Acts 4. This is such a great passage because it shows the love and unity that existed in the early church. Luke records this for us to learn from and rejoice over. No one stood in need. Many believers who had land sold it and gave the money to the apostles. It was then distributed as needed.
Barnabas is mentioned as one of those generous believers who sold his land. He must have loved Christ and the church very much. It is significant to take note of this passage, especially in light of others to follow.
He was already known to the apostles before he took this action. His name was Joseph. Yet he was so well known and well regarded by them they gave him a special name. The twelve called him "Barnabas" which means "son of encouragement" or "son of consolation." How wonderful to be known as an encourager!
In reading the scriptures we see that Barnabas was indeed an encourager. First of all, to be given this name by them infers that he was close to the apostles. He had apparently comforted them or exhorted them in some way. Even in their position, these 12 men must have needed support. God was blessing them and their work because the church was growing by leaps and bounds.
As leaders of the early church, the apostles had a great responsibility. Yes, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, but they were men nonetheless. Loving Christ as they did, no doubt they wanted to care for the believers as He had taught them to do. It isn't difficult to imagine they needed support from time to time. Barnabas was one who gave them that comfort and encouragement.
We don't know the specifics of what "Joseph" did to earn his special name. It doesn't matter that we know exactly what it was. It is important to understand he was there for them when they needed him. They knew they could depend on him. It must have been a joy be around this man!
After Saul's conversion and return to Jerusalem, Barnabas is the one who took him to the apostles and vouched for him. Saul had been a dangerous persecutor of Christians. He had an evil reputation. But he was now a follower of Jesus and he needed someone to speak up for him. Barnabas did that. There's no telling how long it would have taken the apostles to accept Paul if he hadn't.
How important is it for people today when they are converted from the world to have someone believe in them ... vouch for them ... speak up for them? It could mean all the difference in the world! Anyone who becomes a Christian needs that wonderful support and encouragement. Sometimes our faithfulness might depend on the encouragement we receive from other Christians.
Later when the believers in Jerusalem heard of the growth of the church in Antioch, they again expressed their confidence in Barnabas by sending him there. Acts 11:23 tells us that when he arrived in Antioch and saw "the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose." (ESV) Luke tells us in verse 24 that Barnabas was good man who was full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. The church continued to grow in Antioch, so much so, that Barnabas sought out Paul to help in this work.
Several other scriptures refer to Barnabas, but time hinders us from going through them all here and now. However, we can see who Barnabas was....what type of person he was. As I said earlier, it doesn't matter what we do for a living. It matters who we are and how we live as we go about our daily lives. In my opinion, Barnabas teaches us that lesson so very well.
Just from these few scriptures we learn he was a generous man who loved the church. He was well-known to the apostles as a teacher and exhorter. He consoled them in their labors for the Lord. How wonderful it must have been for them to know others were as dedicated to Christ as they were! What a comfort to know that he was teaching and helping the church grow! They sent him to Antioch because they knew he would encourage believers there to be faithful and steadfast.
The Holy Spirit guided Luke to tell us Barnabas was a good man and full of faith. He stood up for Saul when no one else did. How much more was Saul (Paul) able to do for the Lord because of this support! This cannot be measured -- the value of Barnabas' support to Paul was priceless.
Now let's bring this home to us. We can be a Barnabas! We can touch countless lives simply by touching one. We can encourage others to be faithful. We can console those who labor for the Lord.
How easy would it be to tell the minister of your local congregation how much you appreciate his dedication to the service of Christ? What a blessing we can be to our elders if we speak to them or send them a note of encouragement thanking them for the work they do! Leaders of the church today shoulder a big responsibility. We can be a comfort to them just as Barnabas was for the apostles.
Sometimes all it takes is a smile or a hug. Sometimes it means listening to a brother or sister who needs to share. We can offer great comfort to others by praying with them. Being a Barnabas could mean standing up for what's right -- teaching others the truth.
The Bible tells us Joseph (also called Barnabas) was a good man full of faith. Can we say that about ourselves?
More importantly do we show this to others by the way we live our lives? Can we be depended upon to do what's right .. as the apostles depended on him? Can we empower others to be workers for the Lord simply by showing them we believe in them? Barnabas did.
So what do we want to be when we grow up?
Can we Be a Barnabas? . . . . Sure we can!
We just have to want to be.
Christ above all things,
Robin
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