Barnabas to your church

Be a Barnabas to your church

Listen: : 36 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.

Sometimes the name we are given at birth is not as descriptive as the name that our friends may give us. Do you have a nickname that says something about who you are? Sometimes, nicknames are not very flattering. Pokey. Shorty. Baldy. Often nicknames point out our weaknesses or our faults.

That was not true for Joseph. They called him Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement.” What a great name! In the world where most people love to run each other down and point out each other’s faults, Barnabas loved to encourage people.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a whole church full of people like Barnabas? Members would constantly encourage their pastors to do their best, or show them how much they appreciate their work. Members would encourage each other to use their gifts to serve the Lord, or to gather together in God’s house for worship. They would reach out to people experiencing life’s troubles and encourage them to find hope in Jesus.

Can you be a Barnabas in your church? Take a moment right now and think about whom you can encourage and how.

Pray. Lord Jesus, I know that I can be a Barnabas, too. You make it easy to encourage one another. All I have to do is connect people to you. For people in trouble, you are their Friend. For those who are sad, you are their Comfort. For people struggling with doubt, you are their hope. My prayer is this. Open my eyes and my heart to see those who need encouragement and make me your ambassador to connect them with you. Amen.