Acts 4:36

Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),

     Joseph the Levite is not a name used often when people are talking abou the Bible, despite the fact that Joseph was a pivotal character in much of Luke’s narrative in Acts. Everyone knows him by the name of Barnabas. It would be interesting to see how many people know what his actual name was. The name conferred to him is very descriptive of his character. It means son of encouragement. Anyone who is given that name should consider it a great honor.

    The often gave names based on character traits in Biblical times. This was definitely the case with Barnabas. He was a man who offered great encouragement. In this chapter we see that he sells off property in order to help fellow Christians who are in need. Elsewhere in scripture we see that he was one of the first in Jerusalem to accept Paul’s conversion. He journeys with Paul and helps in many conversions. He is in prayer often. Here and elsewhere we see that when his fellow Christians have needs, he is one of the first one’s there to sign up.

     We need to aspire to be like Barnabas. We need to develop the attitude of service that he did. He was encouraging because he was always looking ot help others. He found needs and did what was necessary to help. We can do that today too. It does not just have to be financially either. We can encourage others through our service. We can have a kind word in the midst of a frustrating day. We can offer prayer and study in times of trials. We can offer a shoulder to cry on. Yet all of these rely on a specific component in our life: sacrifice. We have to be willing to sacrifice our time, our money, our effort. If we are willing to sacrifice for the sake of others, then we too will be sons of encouragement.

Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),