We read in Acts 4:36 that Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned, brought the money, and put it at the apostles’ feet.

This is our first meeting with Barnabas, and we see right away that he was a man of blessing, vision, and encouragement. Men of valor, we can learn a lot from him!

Barnabas joined the church’s mission

Barnabas’ very first act was helping meet the needs of the community through the church. He knew that the local church was collecting money to help people when they had needs, and he wanted to be a part of that. His act showed generosity of spirit as well as funds because he left the money with the apostles, trusting them to decide the correct distribution of his gift (Acts 4:36-37).

Barnabas encouraged church growth

Barnabas reminded the people to remain true to the Lord. This encouragement helped the church to be faithful. In Act 11:23 and Acts 13:1 we see that Barnabas was one of the prophets and teachers mentioned at the church in Antioch. We can be sure that Barnabas would be teaching the believers to be faithful and as noted by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, about the gifts and abilities the Spirit uses to build up the body of Christ. We also see in Acts 13:2-3 that the Holy Spirit called for Barnabas and Paul to go and preach to the Gentiles and plant churches among those who would receive the Kingdom.  

When others see faithful followers of Christ, they become interested too, and church growth results. (We have seen this in our work to launch men’s ministries; when men see serious intent and consistent efforts, they volunteer to help, and the ministry grows!)

Barnabas encouraged church unity

After Paul was converted on the road to Damascus, he later came to Jerusalem where the disciples were afraid to receive him. But Barnabas brought Paul to the group and testified about Paul’s conversion and encouraged them to accept Paul (Acts 9:26-27). Despite Paul’s record of persecuting the Christians, Barnabas saw past those evils and envisioned a potential in Paul for ministry to believers and unbelievers. How right he was!  

Later, Barnabas was part of the gathering in Jerusalem when he and Paul reported the conversion of the Gentiles (Acts 15). This controversy could have split the church, but with wise counsel triggered by encouraging reports from Barnabas and Paul, the church welcomed God’s work and sent advice to the new believers.

Barnabas trained church leaders

When a report came to the disciples that a church had been established in Antioch, they sent Barnabas to check it out. In Acts 11:25 Barnabas went to get Paul and bring him to Antioch, where for a whole year they taught a great many people and where the term “Christian” first came to be used.

At one point, Paul and Barnabas brought John Mark with them to Antioch from Jerusalem (Acts 12:25).  John Mark went with them on their first missionary journey but abandoned the team midway and returned home. Subsequently, when preparations for their second journey were complete, Barnabas expressed his desire for Mark to accompany them once more. However, Paul had lost confidence in Mark. Consequently, Barnabas took John Mark under his wing, and Paul proceeded on the journey with Silas. Barnabas had a different perspective. Barnabas, the encourager, saw something in John Mark (we now call him Mark) in the same way he had with Paul. Barnabas sponsored Paul at a time when everyone distrusted and rejected him, and he sponsored Mark when Paul distrusted him.  A man of valor does not abandon good people who need mentoring and encouragement.[1]

As a result, both Paul and Mark—one-time failures in the eyes of others—became evangelists and writers who took the gospel to the corners of their world. Barnabas the encourager had a huge influence in both their lives!

When we train others to be leaders, it is no longer just us doing the ministry. Instead, it is multiplied over and over as others continue the work.

Barnabas encouraged church and missionary outreach

During the time Barnabas and Paul lived in Antioch, a report came of a famine in Judea, and Barnabas and Paul took up an offering and took the money there as an outreach effort.

After the local leaders were trained, Barnabas and Paul were commissioned to go on the first recorded missionary journey. While they could have stayed in Antioch in comfort, they chose to go. Barnabas supported missionary outreach—and did it!

Your turn, man of valor

Man of valor, do you support your church’s ministries? Are you growing in your faith and discipling other men? Do you help promote unity among believers? Are you part of your church’s outreach to unbelievers?

If you are a pastor, do you ensure that the gifts from your church members are used appropriately? Do you mentor and actively encourage the men of valor in your congregation to participate in, lead, and develop ministries of discipleship and outreach? Are you promoting unity?

Man of valor, be a blessing and an encourager—and watch the impact!

[1]Living as a Man of Valor, p. 50-51. “Did Barnabas pick another champion in Mark? Did his mentoring and investment in Mark pay off? Peter thought so, referring to Mark later as ‘my son Mark’ in 1 Peter 5:1. Amazingly, so did Paul. Near the end of his life, Paul requested that Mark come to him in Rome. In 2 Timothy 4:11, we read that Paul asked Timothy to get Mark and bring him along, for he was ‘useful’ to Paul for ministry. Mark even wrote one of the gospels! Barnabas didn’t pick someone who was already a champion; he helped turn a young man who had walked away from a commitment into a champion. A great mentor doesn’t win by starting with winners—a great mentor sometimes turns losers into winners.”