News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. Acts 11:22-30
“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s goods, thou shalt not be avaricious. Thou shalt not be joined in soul with the haughty but shalt converse with humble and righteous men. Thou shalt receive the trials that befall thee as good, knowing that nothing happens without God.
Thou shalt not be double-minded or talkative. Thou shalt obey thy masters as a type of God in modesty and fear; thou shalt not command in bitterness thy slave or handmaid who hope on the same God, lest they cease to fear the God who is over you both; for he came not to call men with respect of persons, but those whom the Spirit prepared.
Thou shalt share all things with thy neighbour 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 the hands to take, and shuts them when it comes to giving.”
Epistle of Barnabas 19.6-9a, translated by Kirsopp Lake (Loeb Classical Library, 1912).
My meditations for the first 50 days or so this year have come from reading three different books. I’ve decided to return to my word for the year (share) and to explore it starting with the early church fathers and through church history. I hope you enjoy the journey with me.
Today’s Scripture illustrates Barnabas as a key player in the early church who encouraged both deep faith and facilitates proportionate generosity: according to each person’s ability, the Christians gave. Then in this reading from chapter 19 of the Epistle of Barnabas, we see what motivates this sharing.
We must be humble people who covet not what others have as takers but who see everything as belonging to God so that we appear as generous sharers. Our faith must not be empty, talkative words but sacrificial, and generous action.
Pause and think about Barnabas. Consider his actions in Acts as well as the words from his epistle. He was known as an encourager, a good man, full of the Holy Spirit. What will people say of you? Let’s each ask the Spirit to work in our lives so we have a similar legacy with our actions and words.