Tuesday, October 11 – Acts 4:36-37

Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), owned a tract of land. So he sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

 

Do you have a nickname? Sometimes a nickname is a shortened version of our given name, and sometimes it’s completely random, but other times it’s a name that captures a little bit of our personality like “goofball” or “Einstein.” In this passage, we learn about Joseph, but as we read more about him throughout the book of Acts, he was continually called Barnabas. This nickname was significant because it spoke of his character. It captured the giving, generous, encouraging heart he displayed.

 

Barnabas was never a flashy person, but he was a person committed to giving what he had and taking the next step of faith where God lead him. Sometimes when we think about living out our faith, we get confused or discouraged because we don’t feel like we have the gifts to lead a Bible study or share the gospel. But when we see examples like Barnabas, we recognize there are other ways to serve the body of Christ. Barnabas was a partner in ministry, an encourager, and a servant. He was a living example of the exhortation in Hebrews 10:24-25, “Let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Today, at this moment, consider how to encourage someone else, taking the next step of faith God has placed before you.

 

• What would it look like for your life to be marked by encouragement?
• Who can you encourage in the faith today?
• Pray and ask God to open your eyes to the opportunities you have to encourage others.