Matthew 19:21 If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; and come, follow Me.

 

The Lord sent Barnabas to be the faithful companion of the Apostle Paul. It could very well be that if it weren’t for Barnabas, the ministry of Paul would have never happened. It was Barnabas that spoke with Peter and James verifying Paul’s conversion.

 

You see, Paul had an absolutely horrible reputation among believers because he had an untold number of them arrested and killed, including Stephen in Jerusalem. They all knew that after the stoning of Stephen, Paul left for Damascus to arrest and kill some more believers.

 

I’m sure they heard that something happened to Paul on the way to Damascus, but the bad far out-weighed the good and they didn’t want any part of him in Jerusalem. Everything settled down for three years while Paul was in Arabia but now, he was back and he wanted to meet with Peter and James!

 

Peter knew Paul. He was well aware of everything he had done to destroy the Church. Peter and James (Jesus’ half-brother) had no intention of having anything to do with Paul. But, the Lord used Barnabas. Who is this man named Barnabas who stood by Paul when no other believers would have anything to do with him?

 

Barnabas was not his real name. His real name was Joses and he was a Levite, born in Cyprus. Barnabas was a nickname given to him by the Apostles because it means “Son of Encouragement.”

 

Like Paul, he was educated under Gamaliel and it is believed that he and Paul were students together. No one really knows how Barnabas was saved but however it happened, it was a dramatic conversion experience because he turned from his wealth and position and took on the title of servant.

 

One historian suggests that perhaps Barnabas was either present or knew the young rich man to whom Jesus spoke and said, If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; and come, follow Me. (Matthew 19:21) No one really knows for sure, but we do know that he too was a young, rich man who sold what he had and gave it to the poor Apostles. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the Apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement} a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the Apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:36-37)

 

Barnabas was a true and faithful servant. He was willing to do whatever the church leaders needed. He was totally Kingdom-minded. He understood that none of his earthly possessions or even his very life was more important than building the Kingdom of God. He had land but he sold it and brought the proceeds to the Apostles for the Church. He risked his very life when he stood up for Paul, but because of his reputation, they believed him.

 

God calls us to be Kingdom-minded. Our earthly possessions and positions are worthless. Hear the Words of Jesus today: If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; and come, follow Me. (Matthew 19:21)

 

 

Set your sights on the Kingdom and watch God…...….turn the tide……..in your life.

 

So grateful,         Doreen

 

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