The Word of God has recorded some very interesting facts about a man whose name was changed by his fellow-workman from “Joses” to “Barnabas,” which means “son of consolation” or “son of exhortation.” Here is a man who is a distinct asset to his brethren. All of us radiate either consolation and encouragement or trouble and discouragement to our brethren. That little assembly where you live and function is a little nearer the Lord, a little more spiritual, a little stronger because of the encouragement and consolation that radiates from your life, or you are one of those who may be causing weakness and discouragement. I am sure none of us possess such a morbid ambition as to be the most troublesome or unhappy or unloving person in the little gathering where we live.
And who of us is above the need of a little bit of encouragement now and then? Have we not many times been helped because a brother took us by the hand, looked into our face and there we saw in his eyes the gleam of reality, a simple and genuine desire to help us on the way. Perhaps some are passing through a crisis, a great burden or sorrow, and that grip, that look, that little word dropped, how much it has helped. How many of us are sons of consolation? Oh, brethren, may that be our desire.
Giving Instead of Taking
In Acts 4 we learn that Barnabas (this son of consolation) was a Levite. We find in his life that which shows how far things have changed since God set apart the Levites for His service, providing for them (for they had no inheritance from the land). They were to live from the income of their brethren. But here is a Levite who is both a landowner (under the law a Levite wasn’t to do that) and a distributor.
Due to the presence of the great number of believers brought into the kingdom of God under the full tide of Pentecostal blessing, there arises a need for mass relief of their practical needs.
This dear man Barnabas, unasked, unprompted, sells his land and brings the money, laying it down at the apostles’ feet. He was under no compulsion and no command. What unselfishness! He was prompted by the need of others and, led by the Spirit of God, puts all down at the apostles’ feet. We have heard a servant of Christ say more than once, “A Christian is characteristically a distributor, not an accumulator.” So, the very first time we see Barnabas in action as a Christian, he is giving away his substance; he is ministering of what he has to others. His hands are open, not closed, not seeking to accumulate. He is not looking to get; he is seeking for ways to give.
Commending Rather Than Condemning
Later, in Acts 9:2727But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:27) we read, “Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.” Saul had attempted to join himself to the group of believers in Jerusalem, but because of fear they refused to have fellowship with him. Now here is where the good offices of Barnabas come in again. Barnabas had in some way become personally familiar with Saul. He takes him to those who had oversight of things in the assembly at Jerusalem, explaining the situation to them. They received the testimony of that godly man Barnabas, and everything is opened to Saul there in the assembly.
Saul proves to be a blessing among them, but he was received on the testimony of one who could vouch that he was what he represented himself to be. How wonderful that there was a “Barnabas” who had the confidence of the brethren and could be used as the means by which that special vessel of God was received at Jerusalem.
C. H. Brown (adapted from an address)