Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 4:36-37
36 For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. 37 He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.
36 For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. 37 He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.
Commentary:
4:36 Barnabas would not have been cited as an example of sharing if the practice had not been voluntary. Barnabas is introduced in the Acts narrative at this point; he is a major character in later chapters, particularly as Paul’s companion on his first mission. That mission began on Cyprus (13:4b–6), the home of Barnabas. The nickname son of encouragement fits his personality well. He introduced the newly converted Paul to the apostolic circle when everyone else was suspicious of him (9:27). He brought Paul to Antioch to participate in the outreach to the Gentiles (11:25–26). And he stood up for the young John Mark when Paul did not want to take him with them (15:36–39).
Questions:
- Luke gives us an example of what this spirit of generosity among the believers looks like in Barnabas. He was so committed to this cause and to God that he sold some land and gave all the proceeds to the apostles. This is God's design - GENEROSITY and AUTHENTICITY. God is showing us that this is what the family of God can look like when everyone in it is sold out to the Gospel. If you were being honest, can you say that you are completely sold out to the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Is it evident in the way you live your life?
- Jesus said that the world would know who belonged to him by our love for one another, and this group is definitely living that out. They had a "what's mine is yours" mentality. Think about what a community like this would look like in our world today? What kind of impact might Jesus followers have in the world if we lived that way?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would be sold out to the Gospel.
- That you would model your life after the believers in Acts.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
7. How can I trust that the Bible is still God’s Word today? I trust the Bible is still God’s Word today because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He was God and said His words would never pass away. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired the writing of the Scripture, determined the canon of Scripture and protected the copying of Scripture so that we might know Him and worship Him to this day.
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
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