Acts 11:23–24 (CSB) — When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord.
Last week was heavy. This week is a little better. Today, choose a different posture. Choose to build up. Choose to be a Barnabas.
Barnabas’s name means “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). That was not a slogan. It was his life. He sold a field and gave the money to serve the church (Acts 4:37). He welcomed Saul when others were afraid of him and told the apostles what God had done in Saul’s life (Acts 9:26–27). He was sent to Antioch, saw God’s grace, rejoiced, and urged the new disciples to stay devoted to Jesus (Acts 11:23–24). Later the Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2–3). When John Mark failed, Barnabas did not throw him away. He took him, trained him, and gave him another chance (Acts 15:37–39). Years later Paul could say, “Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). That is the fruit of a Barnabas.
What did Barnabas do, and how can we follow?
1) He saw grace before he looked for faults.
“He saw the grace of God, he was glad” (Acts 11:23). Start there. Look for evidence of God at work in people. Say it out loud. Gratitude opens doors. Criticism closes them.
2) He urged steady devotion, not quick hype.
He “encouraged them to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts” (Acts 11:23). Encouragement is not flattery. It points people back to Jesus and steady faith.
3) He used his voice to vouch for the overlooked.
Barnabas stood beside Saul when others would not (Acts 9:27). Who needs your voice today? A new believer? A young teacher? Someone with a past? Your words can open a path for them.
4) He invested in people long term.
He did not give up on John Mark (Acts 15:37–39). Restoration takes time. “Encourage each other daily… so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception” (Hebrews 3:13). Daily means we keep showing up.
5) He was full of the Spirit and faith.
Acts calls him “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:24). Real encouragement flows from a Spirit-led heart. Ask God to fill you. Then act.
Why does this matter? Because encouragement changes people and builds churches. “Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up” (Proverbs 12:25). Words can heal. “No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29). When we gather, we do not show up to spectate. We come to “stir up love and good works… encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:24–25).
How to be a Barnabas this week
Pick three people to pray for each day. Ask God to strengthen them. Then tell them you prayed (Ephesians 6:18).
Name the good you see. One text, one call, one sentence after services: “Thank you for….” or, “I see God’s in you here…” (Acts 11:23).
Lift a heavy load. Deliver a meal. Cover a class. Watch kids for an hour (Galatians 6:2).
Stand with someone new. Sit with a guest. Introduce them to a friend. Walk them to class (Romans 15:7).
Advocate for the overlooked. Recommend someone for a task. Give them room to grow like Barnabas did for Mark (Acts 15:37–39; 2 Timothy 4:11).
Guard your words. Post and speak only what gives grace and builds up (Ephesians 4:29).
Give quietly. Meet a need without fanfare, like Barnabas did when he sold his field (Acts 4:37; Matthew 6:3-4).
Allow God to Use You to Steady Someone’s Heart
Allow God to use you as a Barnabas today. Use your words to build up, not tear down. Who is one person you can encourage today, and what exact words or action will you use?
