The Holy Bible is the book of all books, a book divinely
inspired by God and laden with wisdom.
The writings of scriptures is replete with diverse examples
from which we can learn. Many of these examples like the things which
people did or failed to do have become teachings for us, their mistakes have
become wisdom for us and their great deed for God, the church and the kingdom
have become inspiration to us. One of such examples is Barnabas and there are
things to learn from this saint whose labours of love will not go unrewarded.
Barnabas was among the early days teacher and prophet as
seen in the scriptures (Acts 13:1). He was a ministry partner of Paul as God
gave him and Paul an assignment to reach the Gentiles (Acts 13: 2-3). Here are
five lessons that can be learned from the life of Barnabas:
1. 1. Barnabas was a selfless and cheerful giver: The
first time the name of Barnabas was mentioned in the book of Acts (Acts 4:36-37),
it was mentioned because of a selfless act and a sincere heart that gives
cheerfully.
Acts 4:36-37
And Joses, who by the apostles was named
Barnabas,(which is being interpreted, the son of consolation) a Levite and of
the country of Cyprus,
Having land, sold it, and brought the
money, and laid it at the apostles feet.
From the above scriptures, the type of
heart that Barnabas had is revealed. He sold a field that belonged to him and gave all the money to the apostles so that the money could used
to cater for the needs of brethren. Believers must learn and live in the
consciousness that all we have is God's, we must not trust in our possessions
but in God and we should always be ready to give whatever we have cheerfully to
meet the needs of others.
2. 2. People will call and refer to you by your
actions and not just your name.
If a naming ceremony had been held for Barnabas when he was born, he was not named Barnabas. People don't realize that his parents didn't name him Barnabas but Joses. Later on in life, as Barnabas lived a life that was a blessing to others, the apostles named him Barnabas which means “son of consolation”. He was named this because he was a blessing to the people around. If you needed encouragement and consolation, all you had to do was meet Barnabas and you will leave encouraged and consoled. Our lives as believers should be a blessing to others and others will remember you by how your life has blessed them.
3. Your spiritual state, attitude and conduct can
help bring more people into God's kingdom.
It was said of Barnabas that he was a good man, a man full of faith and the holy ghost (Acts 11:22-24). Our lives as Christians will only be effective and reveal Christ to men to the extent that we are full of God's Spirit, faith and love.
4. Keeping the right company is essential to
following God's plan for your life.
Man is a product of influence. Everything you
are and you are doing today is a product of influence. You are Christian
today because you heard someone tell you
about Christ, many things you do today is because you heard or saw someone do
it. Therefore, the people we keep around us can either keep us in God's plan or
keep us far from it. Barnabas had the right company, he came to know the
assignment of God for him at a meeting with people of like minds :
Acts 13:1-2
Now there were in the church that was at
Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas and Simeon that was called
Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen which had been brought up with Herod
the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy
Ghost said, separate unto me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have
called them.
As believers, we must be very deliberate
about the people we fellowship with. Fellowshipping or spending time with the wrong
set of people can either keep you out of God's will or keep you in it.
5.
5. Believers must learn to accommodate one another and not strife even when we have our differences
The ministry of Paul and Barnabas together
was one ordained on by God, their assignment was given to them by God (Acts
13:1). However, this God ordained relationship was brought to an abrupt end
because of strife. Let's take a look at what happened:
Acts 15: 36-39
And some days after Paul said to
Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have
preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to
take with them John, whose surname was
Mark. But Paul thought not good to take
him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to
the work. And the contention was to sharp between them, that they departed
asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed into Cyprus.
The above scripture clearly paints what
brought an end to the ministry relationship of Paul and Barnabas. It was recorded that the contention between them was a sharp one and this ended their relationship together as ministry parrners for their mames was never mentioned together again in scriptures. Could they
have handled the situation differently? Definitely yes. We will always have
differences and our opinions will sometime differ even if we are working together,
but our difference should not bring about our separation. Both Barnabas and
Paul could have accommodated each other's opinion and not necessarily disagree
or separate.
The life of Barnabas is filled with many
lessons and there are countless lessons to learn through deep study and
meditation.
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