Almsgiving a Church Obligation

 

A young boy complained to his father that most of the church hymns were boring and old-fashioned, with tiresome words that meant little to his generation. His father challenged him with these words: 'If you think you can write better hymns, why don't you?'' The boy accepted the challenge, went to his room, and wrote his first song. He would write 350 hymns in his lifetime.' The year was 1690, and the young man was Isaac Watts. Among his hymns are 'Joy to the World,' 'When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,' and many other classics.

In Acts 11:19-21 we are told that those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed sowed the seed of the gospel as they travelled. Men from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. Antioch was the third greatest city in the Roman Empire, behind Rome and Alexandria. Antioch was known for its commerce, its sophistication and culture, but also for its immorality.

News of the conversion of many Gentiles at Antioch travelled fast to the church in Jerusalem (Acts 11:22). Jerusalem church was the central hub for the Christian movement after Pentecost. The leaders felt responsible for the distant converts. They sent a man named Barnabas to verify the news and if it’s true encourage new believers and safeguard sound doctrine. Earlier when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them (Acts 8:14).

The act of the Jerusalem church dispatching Barnabas to Antioch to assess and support the new believers, demonstrated the interconnectedness and accountability within the early Christian communities. The work in Antioch started without involvement of the Jerusalem church but Barnabas visit linked the two churches. Barnabas selection to go to Antioch underscores the importance of the mission and the trust the Jerusalem church placed in him.

He was a wise choice because he was a Greek speaking converted Jew from the island of Cyprus and men from Cyprus and Cyrene had begun the work in Antioch.  He knew the culture well and they knew him. Barnabas's was known for his encouragement. Barnabas was his nickname and it meant "son of encouragement" (Acts 4:36). His role as an encourager and mediator would have been crucial in bridging cultural divides between Jewish and Gentile believers.

When he arrived and “saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad (Acts 11:23). What does the grace of God look like? What did Barnabas see in that church? He saw genuine salvation and Salvation is by grace (Eph. 2:1-9). You see the grace of God when former pagans are now worshiping the true God. You see the grace of God when people who lived according to the “acts of the flesh” (Gal. 5:19-21) are now demonstrating the “Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).

Barnabas had a radar to spot God’s grace in other people’s lives. He had an ability to discern authentic works of God.  Someone once said that “those who deal in the currency of grace have their heat sensors adjusted and alert for embers of grace that they can fan; while the other kind of people, it seems, have their buckets of criticism ready to pour on the ashes of imperfection.” In Romans 12, Paul describes what a grace full community looks like.

When Barnabas saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts (Acts 11:23). Barnabas recognized God’s work in them and encouraged them. He recognized the genuine faith of new Gentile converts and rather than being skeptical, he rejoiced. Christians should be attentive to God's work in the lives of others, then celebrate and foster it.

In Acts 11:24, we get a picture of the character of Barnabas: “he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” We are given his character and not his title if he had any. Character outweighs titles when commissioning ministers (1 Tim.3:10). Barnabas was a good man; his goodness is seen in his willingness to share his possessions for the benefit of the community (Acts 4:37). His inspiring example of wholehearted generosity fostered a spirit of care and compassion within the communities he served.

Barnabas’s nickname, “Son of Encouragement,” (Acts 4:36) encapsulates his most prominent characteristic. Barnabas supported individuals by highlighting God’s calling and potential in them. His approach to Saul’s shaky reputation in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26-27) and to John Mark’s earlier failure (Acts 15:38-39) reinforces how he built bridges between individuals, and offered second chances. He demonstrated willingness to see others restored, involved, and thriving in ministry.

Barnabas encouraged all the Antioch believers to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. The writer to the Hebrews was concerned about his readers quitting and giving up.' Throughout the book he is encouraging them to keep going. In Hebrews 3:12-14 he says “exhort one another daily, while it is called 'today’, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin... hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end” (Heb 3:12-14). “consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds... encourage one another” (Heb 10:24-25).

Barnabas's role as an encourager was vital in the growth and stability of the early Church. Paul’s prayer for the Philippian believers was: “that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, , filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ (Phil.1:3-11).

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people(Acts 11:25-26). When Barnabas realized he couldn’t disciple the new believers on his own he went to Tarsus to look for Saul.” Perhaps he knew Saul was a better teacher and he could provide significant training the church needed.  

Tarsus was apostle Paul’s home town. It was a center of learning and culture, known for its university, which rivaled those in Athens and Alexandria. This background highlights the strategic importance of Saul's education and upbringing in Tarsus, preparing him for his future role as a missionary and theologian. Saul was highly trained rabbi and  excelled at teaching and defending faith ( Gal.1:14, Acts 9:22).

Saul was so valuable to Barnabas that it was worth it for him to leave the work in Antioch for a season and search hard to find him. Brethren had sent Saul to Tarsus about ten years earlier because he was persecuted in Jerusalem (Acts 9:30).   Barnabas had to do a thorough search for Saul because he was hard to find.

Barnabas's decision to seek Saul was likely prompted by the Holy Spirit. This act of seeking Saul also reflects the fulfilment of God's plan, as Saul was to be a "chosen instrument" to carry the name of Jesus to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15). This verse is a reminder of God's sovereignty in orchestrating events and relationships for His purposes. Bringing Saul to Antioch would be pivotal in the spread of Christianity beyond Jewish communities, marking a significant shift in the early church's mission.

For a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people (Acts 11:26).  Ironically the man behind the persecution that led to the church being scattered, is now part of the team that is building up those new believers. This shows the Great Commission’s holistic scope, conversion followed by grounding in truth. Jesus said: “Go and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (matt 28:19-20).

The New Testament distinguishes between preaching and teaching. Preaching is heralding the Gospel. Teaching involves explaining the contents of the Scripture. The gospel is not only a free gift of salvation, but a call to godliness (Matt.5:48, 1 Peter 1:15). Years later, Paul called the Galatians believers “my little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you” (Gal. 4:19).

The large numbers indicate the rapid growth of the church, a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit working through dedicated leaders. A year of solid teaching produced a grounded church. From this point on, Antioch became the focal point for gospel proclamation and the place where missionaries were sent out from to go to the ends of the earth.  Saul, later Paul, wrote epistles that shape doctrine for all generations.

God often prepares workers in hidden seasons (Tarsus) before public assignments (Antioch). If you are a church leader Look for God-given callings in others and help them find the right field. Invest in people even when it means sharing influence; service in God’s kingdom is not a competition (Phil.2:3-4). Invest in people even when it means sharing influence. Invest in people even if they might do better than you in the future.

And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 11:26).”   The term "Christian" was initially used by outsiders to describe the followers of Christ, possibly as a term of derision. However, it became a badge of honor for believers, signifying their identity in Christ. This designation marked a significant moment in church history, as it distinguished the followers of Jesus from other Jewish sects.

During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul (Acts 11:27-30).

The church in Antioch felt compelled to help out the people in Judea, so they took up a collection and sent it to them. Deuteronomy 15:11 says “you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother”. “Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble” (Ps.41:1). Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered (Prov.21:13).

Years later Paul commended the Macedonia and Achaia churches for they “were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. They were obligated to minister to them with material blessings”(Rom. 15:25-27). Though deep in poverty, the churches of Macedonia overflowed into rich generosity. They gave according to their ability and even beyond it, of their own accord”( 2Cor. 8:1-4).  Those in Achaia were prepared to give and their zeal stirred others to do likewise (2 Cor.9:1-2).

The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea (Acts 11:29).  Everyone gave something but they did not give the same amount.  Each gave according to their ability. The Bible speaks of proportional giving.  The principle is “to whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48).  “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you” (Deut. 16:16).

Proportionate giving treats every believer as a vital part of Christ’s body, whether rich or poor. It invites all to participate without burdening anyone beyond what God has supplied. It keeps the focus on obedience and love, not on equal amounts. The rich are protected from boasting; their gift is simply what God enabled. The poor are spared embarrassment. God never asks for what He has not already supplied. When giving matches capacity joy flourishes. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver ( 2 Cor 9:7).