In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do. Galatians 2:9-10
“Thou shalt share all things with thy neighbor and shall not say that they are thy own property; for if you are sharers in that which is incorruptible, how much more in that which is corruptible? Thou shalt not be forward to speak, for the mouth is a snare of death. So far as thou canst, thou shalt keep thy soul pure.
Be not one who stretches out thy hands to take, and shuts them when it comes to giving. Thou shalt love “as the apple of thine eye” all who speak to thee the word of the Lord.
Thou shalt remember the day of judgment day and night, and thou shalt seek each day the society of the saints, either labouring by speech, and going out to exhort, and striving to save souls by the word, or working with thine hands for the ransom of thy sins.
Thou shalt not hesitate to give, and when thou givest thou shalt not grumble, but thou shalt know who is the good paymaster of the reward. “Thou shalt keep the precepts” which thou hast received, “adding nothing and taking nothing away.” Thou shalt utterly hate evil. “Thou shalt give righteous judgment.”
Thou shalt not cause quarrels, but shalt bring together and reconcile those that strive. Thou shalt confess thy sins. Thou shalt not betake thyself to prayer with an evil conscience. This is the Way of Light.”
Barnabas of Cyprus in Epistle of Barnabas 19.8-12.
The Epistle of Barnabas is ascribed to the Barnabas of Cyprus who is mentioned in today’s biblical text. He is the co-worker of the Apostle Paul who ministered to the Gentiles.
The Epistle of Barnabas and the Shepherd of Hermas (cited yesterday) were influential apostolic fathers and included in the Codex Sinaiticus, which is the oldest existing copy of the New Testament (c. fourth century).
These ancient documents provide clues to early church thinking on living out the Christian life, which Barnabas describes as “the Way of Light”, though they were not included in the biblical canon by the early church councils.
What does this this have to do with generosity?
Barnabas uses at least three powerful expressions that should shape our thinking regarding giving. First, we should not view property as our own, because God owns everything. We will never become generous sharers if we see ourselves as owners of possessions.
Second, we should not hesitate to give. Often we judge the recipients of our giving. Sometimes we have fear about the future which limits our giving. To this tendency Barnabas effectively says, don’t hesitate because we can be sure of reward.
Third, and this is related to the second point, we must not grumble in giving. Akin to other NT passages, Barnabas reports that God cares about the attitude of our hearts with regard to our generosity.
Barnabas means “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). He is cheering us on to exhibit “the Way of Light” in a dark world so that we might save lost souls. We do this, at least in part, by being generous sharers who don’t hesitate or grumble in the process.