Day 14 — Barnabas the Encourager

“When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.”

— Acts 11:23–24 (BSB)

His real name was Joseph. But the apostles gave him a nickname: Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36). Imagine being so encouraging that people change your name because of it!

Barnabas was always building people up. Look at a few things he did.

He stood up for Paul. After Paul became a Christian, the believers in Jerusalem were afraid of him, because he used to arrest and hurt Christians. Nobody trusted him. But Barnabas took Paul by the hand, brought him to the apostles and vouched for him. Without Barnabas, Paul might never have been accepted.

He celebrated what God was doing. When the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to check on new believers in a city called Antioch, he didn’t criticize or find fault. The Bible says, “he rejoiced and encouraged them all.”

He gave people second chances. A young man named John Mark once quit and went home in the middle of a missionary trip. Later, Paul didn’t want to take him again. But Barnabas believed in him and gave him another chance. Years later, John Mark became so useful that Paul himself asked for him. And many believe he wrote the Gospel of Mark!

The Bible describes Barnabas simply: “Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.” And because of his encouragement, “a great number of people were brought to the Lord.”

Guys don’t always encourage each other. We often roast each other, tease and compete. Some joking around is fine and fun! But everybody needs encouragement too, especially when they’re struggling.

You can be a Barnabas:

• Notice the kid nobody else believes in, and believe in him.
• Give a real compliment: “That was a great pass.”
• Stand up for someone others are writing off.
• Give people a second chance.
• When a friend is down, remind him that God isn’t done with him.

Think about it: Who has been a Barnabas in your life? Who could use a Barnabas right now?

Try this: Be a “Son of Encouragement” today. Give three sincere encouragements to three different people, including at least one guy who doesn’t usually get encouraged.

Dear God, thank You for Barnabas. Help me be an encourager, someone who builds others up, believes in people and gives second chances. Fill me with Your Spirit, like Barnabas, so my encouragement points people to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.