Acts 4:36-37 (NKJV) 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.

Throughout the book of  Acts we can see by his actions that Barnabas was an encourager.

He was sent out by the other disciples to encourage the people, that they would continue to preach after the persecution of Stephen.

Acts 11:23 (NKJV) 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.

He encouraged them to keep going, keep doing what God put in their hearts to do!

Saul, who later became Paul, was initially not accepted by the disciples. But thank God for Barnabas; he took him in and let him work alongside him despite him being rejected by the others.

We all need a Barnabas in our lives.

He surely understood giving people a chance.

God had touched Saul’s life and he had done a complete turnaround. He went from persecuting Christians to becoming an on-fire-for-God Christian!

But the disciples, being cautious, had a hard time believing this. And they were afraid to let him in.

They sent him to Tarsus. But Barnabas went after Saul, took him in, and together, over the next year, they taught a great many people.

Acts 11:25-26 (NKJV) 25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

God changed Saul’s name to Paul.

Paul and Barnabas did a great ministry work together. And Paul wanted to go back with Barnabas to every city they had visited to see how the people there were doing.

But a disagreement arose when Barnabas was determined to take with them John, called Mark.

This same disciple had previously abandoned both Paul and Barnabas. And Paul insisted that they not bring him along.

Acts 13:13 (NKJV) 13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.

But Barnabas, “the encourager”, was determined to bring him along.

This brought contention between Barnabas and Paul, and they went their separate ways.

Later, Paul did change his mind about how he felt about Mark.

Colossians 4:10 (NKJV) 10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),

Barnabas brought encouragement wherever he went. He helped give people chances that would later impact the world positively for the kingdom of God.

Let us learn from Barnabas, even if we know what someone has done in their past.

And as God leads us in this, give them time to learn. Time to see their error and fix it if they are willing to do so.

Let us encourage them, not throw them away.

Amen.

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