Today’s Reading: Acts 4L32-37, 9:26-27
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed 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.
Acts 4:36-37 KJV
December is known as a happy time of the year.
Families have made out a list of things they want to give to loved ones and friends.
Then something happens that will make it impossible.
It could be the loss of a job, or some unforeseen expense that had to be paid.
Discouragement sets in.
Deep feelings of sadness begin to take control of our lives.
Those are the times when a little encouragement can go a long way.
It is a time when unconditional love and understanding can have great meaning.
It shows we know that gifts are nice, but our love for one another is greater.
Joses, Joseph in Hebrew, was a man from Cyprus.
He was one of the early followers of Jesus.
The apostles called him Barnabas.
A name that meant a “son of encouragement” (Acts 36 KJV).
He had land and sold it.
He then brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4:37 KJV).
He was donating the money to help other believers in need.
He had a gift for encouraging people.
To help build their faith.
To help them see that they were not alone.
Even when he saw that the disciples needed encouragement he stepped in.
We read that the disciples were afraid of Saul (Acts 9:26 KJV).
They did not believe he had changed and was now one of them (Acts 9:26 KJV)
“But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus” (Acts 9:27 KJV).
Barnabas defended him as a man changed by Christ.
To this day there are people all around us longing to be encouraged.
A word well-spoken, a phone call, even our prayers can help to increase their faith in the Savior.
The generosity and support that Barnabas showed is just one example of what it means to be a child of encouragement.
One of the greatest gifts we can give during this season and all year long.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Father, Jesus was the greatest gift we could ever receive. He is our gift of encouragement. He has shown us what it means to love in all areas of our lives. The more we encourage each other, the more they will see You in us. During this Christmas season, may those who are low in spirit find encouragement in knowing that any show of affection is still a way to show love. That those show it is being shown too received it with open arms. Let us never forget that encouragement may be the greatest give we can give to one another. One that we can give all year long.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen