Steadfast, Immovable, Abounding

Acts 4:36-37 says, “Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” This is the Bible’s first reference to the man who would play a foundational role in the life of the early church. Right from the start, we know two good things about him: he generously sacrifices his earnings to the Lord, and he is known as an encourager. But what does this really mean? What characteristics must a person have for his friends to call him “son of encouragement”?

First of all, an encourager is always ready to show Christ’s love to the hurting, demonstrating it in different ways depending on the circumstances. As Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” We all probably know people who seem to always know the right thing to say; their advice always helps us and their consolation always comforts us. For a follower of Christ, this encouragement should not be a stock of ready-made phrases from which we choose the most appropriate option. Instead, we should depend on the Lord to supply us with the encouragement He knows our hearers need. One of the things I pray as I’m writing this blog (and throughout life in general) is that God would give me the words to say and the heart with which to say them. If I try to speak alone, my words will hurt more than they will heal. But if I take what God gives me and share it, His truth will shine light into the dark and hurting world.

The verse I quoted above isn’t the only time the word “encouragement” is associated with Barnabas. In Acts 11, the church at Jerusalem hears that men in Antioch were preaching the gospel to the Greeks. Barnabas is sent to investigate, and verses 23-24 say “Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” What an amazing reputation Barnabas’ character created. I can’t wait to meet him one day. One of the biggest parts of being an encourager is leading others to continue in the God-glorifying work He has called them to, even when it gets hard and they are tempted to despair.

The last part of encouragement that I want to talk about is one that I don’t believe we see often enough. A Godly encourager is willing to tell their brothers and sisters in Christ of the work that they see Him doing in their lives—a work that may be completely unnoticed by its recipient. Sometimes we can be so blind to the spiritual gifts God has given us that it takes someone else to notice and point them out to us. Without those people, many of us would never realize all that God is doing in our lives and would miss out on the ways He wants to use us.

I’ve mentioned before that one of my very favorite relationships in the Bible is Paul and Timothy’s. It is obvious through Paul’s letters to his “true child in the faith” that the apostle was an incredible encourager in Timothy’s life. Paul writes, “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:5-7). Paul tells Timothy that he sees “sincere faith” in him. What an incredible encouragement it would be to know that one whom you respect so highly has confidence in the sincerity of your faith. Paul saw Christ in Timothy; he looked past his age and poured into his life, realizing that God had a plan and a purpose for their relationship. We all need a Paul or two in our lives, and there’s certainly nothing wrong in seeking that mentorship. But what about looking for a Timothy? We all like to be encouraged. But when will we start being that one person in someone else’s life, the person who sees the amazing child of God they are created to be, the person who isn’t afraid to tell them?

We might think that only certain Christians are supposed to be encouragers, and yes, I do believe some are obviously and intentionally given that gift from the Lord. But as Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” Encouragement is a command, not an option. So look around; be present in the lives of your brothers and sisters in Christ. When their flame grows faint, share Christ’s encouragement generously and joyfully.