Barnabas: Giving to the Mission
Text: Acts 4: 32-37
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 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 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
In 1976 a talented and seasoned, engineer named Ralph Winter left his career and founded the US Center for World Mission in Pasadena. His main purpose was to activate American churches regarding the Great Commission. He used his research and mathematical skills to understand the great needs in the world and to enumerate the unreached people groups. He famously proved with robust statistics that if American Christians would divert their spending on cosmetics to missions then the entire world and all of its 10,000 + unreached ethnic groups could hear the gospel in one generation
In 2019, about 43 years later James Petty wrote in his book - Act of Grace: The Power of Generosity to Change Your Life, the Church and the World: “Professing Christians in the US give only 2.5% of their $2.5 trillion income to churches and charitable cause. Only 9% tithe.”
So, what can we do about this? It begins with each of us evaluating or own situation.
Motive: An underlying motivation for this teaching comes from 2 Corinthians 8:8
The Apostle Paul has written: “I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.”
God has given us examples to compare ourselves against so that we can determine our level of commitment.
Barnabas is an example for us to compare ourselves against.
Key Scripture: Acts 4:36-37
36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Three lessons to learn from Barnabas:
He gave with premeditation. What does premeditated giving look like? What does unpremeditated giving look like?
He gave with generosity
He gave in totality
How can I give with premeditation?
Calculate your gross annual income from your employer’s compensation statement or calculate from your pay check then divide by 10 to determine your annual tithe and then divide by 52 to determine your weekly giving.
Take time on Saturday evening or Sunday morning to write your tithe check or send by Zelle.
Take time to analyze your financial status and plan a way to be able to support ministries above and beyond your tithe.
How can I give with generosity?
Learn about the financial status of your church and make targeted donations, above and beyond your tithe, to meet critical needs.
Adopt a pastor or a missionary.
Support a child at Okocho or invest in the Okocho community.
How can I give in totality?
Ensure that you are keeping your commitments, even when you are traveling or facing other challenges
The benefits of giving like Barnabas:
Barnabas became a great encourager and influencer of many people for the Gospel. He will not be forgotten. Consider hospitals and other places that bear his name.
Many people can benefit from missions giving (Cambodia example)
Giving generously and faithfully can change the direction of our life.
Giving like Barnabas can draw you closer to Jesus Christ.