With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 4:33-37
The above passage precedes the story of Ananias and Sapphira — a cautionary tale about lying to the Holy Spirit and a brutal warning against the love of money, if ever there was one. In this passage, Barnabas sets the bar when he sells a field that he owns and brings the money to the apostles so that they can distribute to the needier church members in Jerusalem. This to ensure that none among the body would experience lack.
But here’s the thing; Barnabas had a field to sell!
All too many believers today are so quick to equate the acquisition of wealth with the love of money that they actively ensure that they never invest in anything. Instead, money flows through their hands like water, leaving them broke and constantly waiting for their next paycheck.
Believers with this mindset look at these verses and only ever see one side of the coin, so to speak. Barnabas sold his field, then brought all the money from that sale and laid it at the apostles’ feet. They never stop to consider that Barnabas also saved his money and managed it carefully enough so that he was able to buy a field in the first place.
That way, when God called, he was able to sell the field for a healthy sum and give the money to further God’s kingdom.
Not only did Barnabas know how to give; he also knew how to save, how to invest and how to manage his money. Most of all, he understood that the money he had was not his to squander. It was the Lord’s and he, Barnabas, was merely a steward.
It reminds me of two pastors I knew — a tale of two vicars.
Many years ago, I worked at a property rental agency. One of the tenants was a retired pastor who came in to pay his rent each month. The man was in his late seventies or early eighties. He always paid on time. As an employee of the rental agency, I knew the condition of his flat. While the living conditions were not terrible, the flat was small, dated and, above all, cheap.
What really broke my heart was the fact that he always arrived wearing the same shabby suit. His clothes had clearly once been good quality but time had taken its toll and the threads had become worn and frayed. On occasion, I would see him walking around town — always in that same tired, old suit.
This was a man, who had devoted his entire working life to ministry and the gospel — reduced to poverty in his twilight years.
Another minister I knew retired with no home to live in and so little income that he could not afford to make rent. His meagre pension was clearly not enough to survive on. In this, he was no different from the first minister.
Fortunately, a kind-hearted church member and local businessman had several rental properties, one of which he was able to offer this retired pastor and his wife. They lived in that home rent-free for years into their retirement, until they became too frail to live on their own and finally moved into full-time care.
Ironically, the unsung hero in the above two stories — is the businessman. Just like Barnabas, he saved and invested his money wisely. And when the time came to give it to God’s kingdom, he did so gladly and without hesitation.
According to prevailing Christian culture on the subject of money, many might have accused this man of chasing after riches in his younger years. People who amass wealth like this are deemed lovers of money by those more spiritually minded church members who prefer applying their minds to God and his word than to chasing after filthy lucre.
But here’s the point; without people like the businessman, mentioned above, many sincere believers would languish in poverty. It is people like this man — like Barnabas — who ensure that they are able to give when called.