For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles. 1 Thessalonians 4:36-37
When I was in high school, my English teacher met with me after school twice a week for months. The time that she sacrificed to spend with me after school helped me grow as a writer in many ways. More than anything, however, my time with my English teacher encouraged me. Her generosity in committing her time to meet with me communicated that she believed in me and my ability to write. This is the hidden secret of generosity. While we may not realize it, generosity is a vital part of encouragement. When one is generous to another with their time or resources, it communicates to the recipient that they are believed in and supported. Do not simply take my word for it; Scripture teaches that a man with the nickname “son of encouragement” was extraordinarily generous.
We read in Acts 4 about the beautiful generosity of the early church. When the early church came together after a time of prayer, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, sharing the message of Christ boldly (verse 31). After their prayer, all believers were unified and “felt like what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had” (verse 32). Their generosity was so extravagant that “there were no needy people among them” (verse 34). Everyone in the church shared all they owned. Of all of the people who were a part of the generosity of the early church, only one person gets mentioned for his incredible generosity, and that is Barnabas. Barnabas’s real name was Joseph, but he was nicknamed Barnabas, which means son of encouragement. Can you imagine how encouraging Barnabas must have been to earn that nickname? We learn in these verses that Barnabas sold a field that he owned and gave all the money he earned from selling that land to the apostles. This was extraordinary generosity.
It is fitting that the son of encouragement was extraordinarily generous. Generosity, after all, is a form of encouragement. When Barnabas gave his money to the apostles, it was a way of showing them that he believed in their mission so strongly he was willing to contribute to their ministry financially. This generosity offered both financial support and emotional support through his encouragement.
Let’s follow the example of Barnabas and encourage the people around us through extraordinary generosity. There are numerous ways for us to be generous. Yes, we can be generous financially, but we can also be generous with our time, talents, and resources. How can you encourage people through your extraordinary generosity today?
If we want to encourage others by our extraordinary generosity, we have to know what we have to be generous with. Has God blessed you financially? If so, you have an excellent opportunity to be generous. Has God given you extra margin in your schedule? If so, you have the opportunity to be generous with your time. Maybe you have one-too-many extra pairs of shoes? Can you give them to someone you know in need? However you have been blessed, commit to showing extraordinary generosity today.
Read James 1:19-27(NLT)
All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.
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