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THE KING ' S BUSINESS
Barnabas was Paul's right-hand helper-modest, humble, yet indeed the "Son of Exhortation." He preached and instructed the converts and was hon– ored as a co-laborer with the great evan– gelist in the first missionary tour in Cyprus and Asia Minor. Barnabas was gifted with the qual– ities so essential as a helper, and his name ls associated with that of Paul in the work. Paul was called "Mercury" (the god of oratory), while Barnabas was dubbed "Jupiter" (the chief of the gods). Barnabas and Paul are the titles used in their early ministry (14:14 and 15:25) and then in 15:35 it is "Paul and Barnabas," the order be– ing reversed. After they had returned to Antioch and had preached and taught there for some time, it was laid upon the heart of Paul to visit the churches which they had formed in their first missionary journey. He broached the subject to Barnabas, who was like-minded, but when Barnabas proposed taking with them John Mark, Paul objected because Mark had left them so unceremoniously at Pamphyl!a. We have but a fragmen– tary account of the difference between these two apostles, but we do know that they "agreed to disagree" and separated -Barnabas taking with him John Mark, going to Cyprus; Paul choosing for his companion Silas and going to Syria and Cil!cia. PERTINENT QUESTIONS (1) What kind of giving commends Itself to the Lord? ( 2 Cor. 9: 7) ( 2) What promise Is given to the Barnabas type of givers? (Luke 6:38) ( 3) What is the great motive for our giving? (Gal. 2:20) ( 4) What ls the business of every believer? (Luke 19 : 13; "Oc– cupy," or "Do business.") ( 5) How should this business be done? (2 Tim. 4:2) (6) If our eyes are opened, what
may we expect to see and hear? (Acts 16:9) ( 7) What should be our attitude towards fellow workers? ( 3 John 8) j} ~ It is better to be a "son of consola– tion" than a "son or thunder." 1. Bar– nabas was a man of self-denial and generous spirit. Acts 4:36, 37. cf. 1 estate and giving the proceeds to the church. 2. He was a man of peace and persuasion, Acts 9: 27. He Introduced and endorsed Paul to the church at Jerusalem when Paul was under sus– picion. This opened the way for Paul's labors in the city and gave him the backing of the church. 3. He was a man of good judgment and sound wis– dom. Acts 11:22, 25. The church at Jerusalem sent him as a delegate to Antioch to ascertain whether the work of grace reported there was genuine or not. 4. He was a man of modera– tion, Acts 11: 23. He was so fully in sympathy with the Gospel plan and un– derstood It so well that he rejoiced in the salvation of the Gentiles. 5. He was full of the Holy Spirit, Acts 11: 24. This qual!fled him for giving instruction, warning and encour– agement. He had received the grace of God In his heart and was therefore able to help others. 6. He had the special spiritual girt of exhortation, Acts 11 : 23. cf. Rom. 12:8. He understood how much was involved in the steps taken by the be– lievers in Antioch and he urged them to be steadfast in their purpose to fol– low Christ. 7. He was courageous and aggressive, Acts 11: 25. He started Paul in his missionary work and be– came his fellow laborer in the Gospel. DEVOTIONAL COMMENT Dr. F. W. Farr Kings 19:20, 21. His Interest in the Gospel was genuine and evidenced by his selling bis real
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