Becoming Encouragers

Today's Morning Thought from Acts 4:32-37...(11 June 2024)

Acts 4:32-37

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

In today’s passage, we hear about the early Church community, as we celebrate the feast of the Apostle Barnabas, who was sent with St Paul on several of his missionary journeys.

Barnabas himself seems to be a man who made many journeys in his life. He was Jewish but born in Cyprus. When did he encounter Christ? He’s mentioned as part of that early Jerusalem Christian community, selling land he had to be a part of that communal sharing and belonging. He’s later sent by the Church in Antioch to be with Paul on his journeys. Barnabas is a follower of Jesus who goes where he’s sent, showing up and bringing support and encouragement, as his renaming indicates!

How might we be sons and daughters of encouragement today? Where might God be sending us? What gifts can we bring to the Christian community to be used by God to reach others with the love of Jesus?