How to Rub People the Right Way: Lessons from Barnabas (Acts 4:36–37)

 Most Christians want to be a blessing, but too many of us end up being a burr under everybody’s saddle. We rub people the wrong way with criticism, gossip, stinginess, and pride. The early church had the opposite problem: they had a man who rubbed everyone the right way, and his nickname literally meant “Son of Encouragement.”

His real name was Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus. The apostles called him Barnabas, and in Acts 4:36–37 we’re told why he earned that nickname:

“Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.”

That’s it. No fanfare. No GoFundMe campaign. No dedication ceremony. He simply saw a need, sold property, and quietly laid every dollar at the feet of the leadership so the gospel could stay free and the saints could be fed.

Here are four timeless ways Barnabas still teaches us to rub people the right way in 2025:

1. Speak encouragement, not criticism

The tongue is still “a fire” (James 3:6), and many churches are burning down from the inside because nobody is willing to be a fire extinguisher. One well-timed “I’m proud of you,” “I see Jesus in you,” or “Thank you for serving when nobody noticed” can save a soul from despair. Be the person who leaves every conversation better than you found it.

2. Give like you actually believe everything belongs to Jesus

Barnabas didn’t wait for a capital campaign, a tax break, or a pastor’s pleading. He liquidated an asset and handed it over. Most of us treat 10% as a ceiling instead of a starting point. Some of us treat 0% as normal. Meanwhile widows miss rent, missionaries come home, and teens think Christianity is all talk. Real generosity preaches louder than any sermon.

3. Do it in secret

Jesus said if your left hand knows what your right hand is doing, you’re already doing it wrong (Matt 6:3–4). Barnabas didn’t livestream the transaction. He didn’t even tell Luke—he had to find out from somebody else. Secret giving kills pride and multiplies reward. Public giving usually does the reverse.

4. Trust God to multiply it beyond your wildest imagination

The man who sold one field in Cyprus ended up launching the greatest missionary movement in history. He vouched for the ex-terrorist Saul when the whole church was terrified of him (Acts 9). He discipled Antioch and turned it into the first great Gentile church (Acts 11). He took John Mark after Paul wrote him off, and years later Paul admitted, “He is useful to me” (2 Tim 4:11). You can never out-give God. He always gets the last laugh on stinginess.

A few verses later, Ananias and Sapphira tried to fake Barnabas-level generosity and dropped dead on the spot. God hasn’t changed. He still hates hypocrisy and still loves hilarious, sacrificial givers.

So here’s the 2025 challenge:

Stop rubbing people raw with negativity and selfishness.

Start being a Barnabas this week.

Send the text you’ve been scared to send.

Drop the money you’ve been clutching.

Make the phone call.

Pay the bill anonymously.

Speak the encouragement out loud.

Because one day the books will be opened, and a whole lot of unknown Barnabases will be shocked at the size of their reward, while a lot of loud, famous names will be looking for fruit that isn’t there.

Let’s leave this world with people saying about us what they said about him:

“He was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith—and much people was added unto the Lord” (Acts 11:24).

Who are you going to encourage today?

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DMMC 

11-26-25