He touchés his pocketbook, too. Those who love H im most give most (Luke 7: 36-50; M ai. 3 :7 -1 0 ). Note that Barnabas brought the entire proceeds from his sale and gave it to Christ. Now , it was not demanded of him that he do this: he did it on his own; he did it because he wanted to do it. H is was a voluntary contribution. M any of us feel that this is the way the church should be financed. There is undoubtedly no sin attached to bazaars, sales, etc., to raise money for the church, but it seems to some of us as if the freew ill offering is by far the better way. If every Christian would give of his money as the Lord has prospered him there would never be a shortage of money to carry on the business of th e' church (2 Cor. 9 :6 , 7 ). God’s work ought to have as important a place in the Chris tian’s budget as his rent or house pay ment, as his payment on his automobile, as the payment for his food and other items of necessity. The work of God is a necessity, too, and must be carried on by the freew ill offerings of H is people. Barnabas gave this entire amount in the same w ay he had already surrendered himself to Christ. W hen Barnabas be came a Christian he went all-out for Christ. This is the best way. I f God has all of you H e has everything you own along w ith you (cf. Rom. 12: 1, 2 ; 1 Cor. 6 :19 , 2 0 ). His Spiritual Service Acts 11:22-24 The second half of Acts 11 tells about the founding of the new church in the city of Antioch, Syria. This church was evidently largely Gentile for Antioch was a Gentile city. God wonderfully blest in this city and many believers were added unto the Lord and a fine church was organized. W hen news of the Antioch church came to Jerusalem the leaders of the church there decided to check on what was going on in the northern city. W hom should they send? They would need a gracious largehearted man because the development of Antioch could be come a touchy thing. Perhaps the Gentiles were starting an independent movement that would greatly interfere w ith the progress of the gospel or that would split the church into two warring factions, a Jewish section and a Gentile section. Barnabas was just the man. In the first place Barnabas had the right attitude (v . 2 3 ). H e rejoiced at every evidence of the grace of God even though it m ight not fit in w ith every thing he held him self. W ould to God the spirit of Barnabas were more manifest in the chinch today! Some Christians draw a little circle around themselves and try to make others believe they alone have the truth! Some Baptists are more Baptist than Christian and w ill have nothing to do with anybody else than a Baptist, and then only w ith a particular kind of a Baptist. Some Presbyterians, and some Methodists, and some other brands of believers make the same sad error. The denominational spirit is per haps the greatest hindrance to spiritual CON TINUED ►
do nothing else. From her heart welled up such love for the Saviour that she found it easy to respond and to serve H im as He had served her by dying for her on the cross. Here is a very important truth. Some people seek to serve the Saviour out of a sense of duty. Others feel that they have to do something for Christ in order to earn or maintain salvation. Others serve God out of fear of hell. But there is only one acceptable motive for Chris tian service and that is love (John 21:15- 17; 2 Cor. 5 :1 4 ). Dorcas' Works were Actual v. 36 W e read that Dorcas was fu ll of good works “which she did.” Some folks are fu ll of good works but they never get around to doing them . Here is a man who says he wants to teach a Sunday school class but he never gets around to doing it. Here is a young lady who intends someday to become a real leader in her young people’s society, but she has never gotten around to being a leader .as yet. And so it goes — if every good intention were actual service how wonderful it would be! The Bible speaks much about being busy for the Lord (cf. 1 Cor. 1 5:5 8 ; Eph. 5 :1 5 , 16; Rom. 12:11, etc.). Find other Scriptures on this subject and discuss them in your meeting. Dorcas found time to do many things w ith her hands for the Lord, and God honored her by giving this eternal account in H is W ord. Dorcas' Works were Practical Works v. 39 It is felt by some that unless they can do some great thing they are not of any account to God. This is wrong. Dorcas did nothing great. She made gar ments w ith her hands. She sewed clothes to the glory of God. This is practical Christianity and the Lord in dicates H is pleasure in such a life. A re you doing what you can for the Lord? July 26, 1953 Meet Barnabas, the Pioneer Acts 4:36, 37; 11:22-30; 13:1-4 W e meet Barnabas five times in the book of Acts and each time he is cast in favorable light regarding his char acter. H is real name was Joses, but his friends called him Barnabas, which means son of consolation. This was a fitting name for this man for indeed he had the splen did gift of bringing help and comfort into the lives of other people. A s we study the various Scriptures that mention Barnabas we are struck with numerous facts about his life that are of interest and profit for our own lives. Let us note some of these things. His Complete Consecration Acts 4:36, 37 In this passage you w ill note that Bar nabas was an exceedingly generous Chris tian. H e sold a certain possession and brought the entire profit from his sale and gave it to the Lord. Generosity is one sign of fu ll dedication of life to Christ. And it is right here that some Christians fail. The money problem is a real problem w ith many. W e feel that when the Lord touches a man’s heart J U N E 1 9 5 3
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