Today we are going to learn from Barnabus.

1. Giving heart

Acts 4:32-37
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.
34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales
35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement),
37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

Barnabus is one of the disciples who have shown us what Christianity really means in a practical sense. V32 says the disciples were on in heart and mind. Could that be said about you? Are we totally united in our family group? Is making disciples your purpose or just your leader's purpose?

V34 says there was no needy person among them. Could that be said about our group? We've not talking about monetary help because that's not the way to help. But help by getting or looking for jobs, visit them if they are sick, encourage when they seem burdened, tutor them during exams.

V35. These disciples went the extra mile to even sell their land and houses and give the proceeds to the apostles. This was done not under compulsion but on their own. They just had this deep desire to help other Christians. Is that our attitude, or our attitude is what can I get from the church? True joy comes when you are giving not when you are demanding. Of all the disciples, Barnabus name gets mentioned.

V37 says he sold a field and put the money, at the apostles feet.

Brothers / sisters God expects us to tithe monthly. He doesn't want all our money. He says divide your income into 10 parts. Now keep 9 parts to yourself and give one! Part. Is that very difficult to do? Some of us need to really check our hearts if you are not giving your contribution.

Barnabus in V36 is called son of encouragement by the apostles. He was so encouraging that he was known for it. What are you known for today? (Fatness, Lateness, depression, laziness, lukewarmness, worldliness). We have got to be known for our giving nature and that comes with spirituality. In any situation you have got to ask yourself, what would Jesus do? You will always get the right answer.

2. Trusting heart

Acts 9:26-30
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.
28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
29 He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him.
30 When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

We see that Paul is being looked at with suspicion in Jerusalem. Which is obvious because he had made havoc by dragging men and women to prison. We see here the heart of Barnabus, when everyone is standing away from Paul, Barnabus took him by his hand. We see that Barnabus had a very trusting heart which was like that of a child.

He was a man who insisted in believing the best of others. When others suspected Paul of being a spy, Barnabus insisted on believing that he was genuine. Disciples in Mark 5 saw the demon-possessed men and believed what they saw. But Jesus saw him as a changed man. Today, are we the positive thinkers who believe things can happen or are we quick to spread our lack of faith? Its easy to look at the negatives and get critical. Get critical on leadership, way you've been treated get critical on brothers or sisters. Get critical when your disciples or ministry changes. Barnabus was a man who never held anyone's past against him. That is the heart of God because he has not held our past sins against us. Are we having bad attitudes towards anyone? Get rid of it today. Before you leave the meeting sought it out. We need to talk about it today. Lets decide to have a trusting heart like Barnabus.