And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.(vs36-37)
Joses, also called the Son of Consolation, by the Apostles, made the wisest choice a human can make! He gave up the temporal for the eternal and exchanged this world's treasures for everlasting life, usefulness in the ministry, and living for the truth for his own good. Those who cast aside earthly riches, fame, and pleasures for the kingdom of God are gaining, though we are losing in the eyes of men. Christ said, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life” (Matt 19:28-29).
Be encouraged. You've also forsaken everything for Christ, and your reward is sure! You may be hated, mocked, and forced to walk alone with God in this life, yet, you are loved by God, blessed, and partaking of the reality of the eternal bliss. You are not deceived, following Satan, and living a life soon to crash and burn. You are upright, holy, good, and being obedient and godly is never going to fail you. It will make way into heaven in the end. Peter said, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble, for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 1:10-11).
A man isn't crazy to give up his talent and opportunities, so that he may gain eternal riches and make others rich toward God. He is no fool who sacrifices things that don't last in order to have the eternal! Jim Elliot's journal entry for October 28, 1949, expresses his belief that missions work was more important than his life. He penned, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." This is the quote that is most often attributed to Elliot, but apparently it is very close to the English nonconformist preacher Philip Henry (1631–1696) who said "He is no fool who parts with that which he cannot keep, when he is sure to be recompensed with that which he cannot lose" (wikipedia). It is wise to trade the temporary for the eternal, and to give up on sin and worldliness in order to have Christ.
What is your decision? Grace made Barnabas surrender all, willingly. He lived by faith rather than sight and sense. How do you see things? The brethren in Acts 4 were preaching, persecuted by men, but they gathered together with God in love. We read, “And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord... Now Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus”. He spoke by them, told the truth of resurrection power, and sinners were made saints by grace. “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness”. People came together from different backgrounds and became united in the one cause of Christ. “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common”. God was there, and so was truth and love. They lived for the invisible, as seeing Him who is true. “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all”.
What is your response? Do you forsake everything else, lay down your life, and join up with the true winning gospel, or do you count it a light thing, ignore it, and reason that devotion is unrewarded. We are all made to ask ourselves: Where do I stand with Jesus? What do I think of Christ?
Think what Barnabas thought: think it is worth forsaking all other things and throwing yourself heartily into Christ's message among His people. “And Joses... having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet”. Count your money as His money, and use it as He sees fit, trusting the word of God (1 Tim 6:17-19). The church is your business. Devote yourself to its service, so that you may receive. Paul said, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Phil 1:27).
It is wrong to think, “I will attach Christ to my life, but I will live for myself. I will support the gospel, as I see fit, but I will take care of my ambitions FIRST. I will give what I can afford without sacrifice” (2 Sam 24:24). Don't be so foolish. Live out the gospel, receive the grace of God, and know that you've got more pressing business than hording for yourself. “Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need”.
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