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, no...