The Son of Encouragement

Everyone can all use more encouragement. You can all be an encourager, or a “son of encouragement”, and provide the need.

Joses, who was called Barnabas by the apostles, means “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36). His actions match his name. He sold a piece of land and gave the money to the apostles, allowing them to meet the needs of the saints (Acts 4:32-37). He did what he could to help as many people as possible. Later, he helped aid those who needed relief from the famine in Judea (Acts 11:27-30).

There was another individual to whom Barnabas provided encouragement: Saul of Tarsus. Saul had been blinded after persecuting Christians, and had just received his sight. He began to preach Christ in Damascus, and then attempted to do the same in Jerusalem. However, many were afraid of him. They did not consider him a disciple. He really needed encouragement. Barnabas declared to them of how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He told Saul, in turn, began to preach Christ. As a result the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria were edified and encouraged (Acts 9:26-31). Not long afterward, Barnabas and Paul teamed up to travel and spread the gospel (Acts 12:25-14:28).

Imagine how many people were encouraged by this one individual. Barnabas had a gift for encouragement and used it to the best of his ability. What about you? Is encouragement your gift? Is it something else? Whatever it is, use it to the best of your ability in the servers of the Lord. You will be surprised how many people can be encouraged. The best encouragement you can provide is having hope in Christ. Can you share the encouragement of knowing you have accepted salvation in Christ on His terms?

Salvation:  Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully