There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet (Acts 4:34-37).
Barnabas, for so he was called from this point on, was a generous man. We do not know the size of the field he sold, but go online and find the price of even a 1 or 2 acre property and you will find it in the four figures easily and probably five. Five acres might well go for 6 figures, depending upon its location. Whatever he got, it was commensurate to the cost of living and the daily wage of people living in that day, the only real way to judge. Would I be willing to give that amount for people I had not known for long?
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them…who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report…came to the…church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord…for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith…Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch…And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians… [Then] prophets came down from Jerusalem.. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world...So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul (Acts 11:19-30).
When the news came to Jerusalem about the conversion of some Gentiles, Peter had to explain himself (Acts 11:1-3ff). Though many seemed satisfied (v 18), by Acts 15, several years later, things were still unsettled with many. But not Barnabas. He cut to the chase, so to speak. When the Antioch church began preaching to and accepting Gentiles, he hurried to help. When he "saw God's grace", he was "glad." To him it seems, the gospel was about saving souls, any souls.
Read on and see a description any of us would love to wear. He was full of faith, a good man, filled with the Spirit, v 24. He looked for the needs and good of others, found Saul to come help at Antioch, which undoubtedly did both the church and Saul much good.
And when the famine arose, the brothers in Antioch counted both him and Saul trustworthy enough to carry the collected monies to those in need.
We next find Barnabas in Acts 13. Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off (Acts 13:1-3).
Now we can see Barnabas as a team player. He and four others, including Saul, had evidently been working together in Antioch for a good while. We see not an inkling of discord among them, no one claiming to be better or more important than the rest, unlike a certain group of twelve who followed Jesus around.
But now, when the Holy Spirit hands Barnabas and Saul a special job, they go. No complaining, no excuses, a la Moses—they just go. And please be aware: Barnabas is still the mentor here. They are called "Barnabas and Saul" until 13:43 when suddenly it changes to "Paul and Barnabas," and it stays that way for the rest of the journey.
But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus (Acts 15:1-3. 12. 36-39).
And we see yet more about Barnabas here. Not surprisingly, given his above history, Barnabas is willing to become involved in a controversy. Can we first make something clear? These men did not go to Jerusalem to make a decision. God had already made the decision, and stated it as far back as Gen 12:3 and for hundreds of years afterward. They gathered to show God's decisions by giving direct statement of scripture (15:13-19), approved example (15:12), and necessary conclusion (15:7-11). Barnabas's participation in this showed his understanding and approval of their proper interpretation of scripture and willingness to stand for what God wanted regardless who disagreed.
And then we see in Barnabas a patient mentor (vv 36-39). Not everyone can see the talent in a raw personality, but Barnabas could. He did it with Saul in Acts 9 and he did it with Mark and, I am certain, with many other young Christians as he continually earned that nickname we began with. Generous, encouraging, full of faith and the Holy Spirit, trustworthy, responsible, a teacher, a team player, and patient mentor—a GOOD man.
Don't let his example go unnoticed.
And when [Saul] had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus (Acts 9:26-27).
Dene Ward