Models of Encouragement (Part One)

In his book Spiritual Leadership, J. Oswald Sanders writes, “I would like to draw the attention of leaders to the incredibly fruitful results that can flow from a ministry of encouragement. Great leaders have always been great encouragers. In these days when world and social conditions are throwing up such vast numbers of discouraged and disillusioned people, more than ever the Christian leader should purposefully embark on an encouragement-slanted ministry. . . . Encouragement is a constantly recurring refrain in [Paul’s] letters to colleagues, churches, and converts. . . . If through our ministry, whether public or private, people are encouraged to rise from their discouragement and take new steps of faith with God, we are engaged in Christlike service that will produce eternal dividends” (pp. x-xi).

The pioneer who blazed the trail of encouragement for us in the Bible was Barnabas. In Acts 4:36-37, he encouraged through giving: “And Joses, who was also named Barnabas (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” He wasn’t the only one sharing, but he is an excellent example of the generosity of spirit evident in the early church (4:32-35).

Have you been on the receiving end of an encouragement gift? Or are you able, in this current time of recession, to lift the spirits of someone struggling to stay afloat financially by giving like Barnabas? I remember how encouraged I felt a year ago when someone gave me a hug, and said, “The Lord told me to give this to you,” as he pressed a $100 bill into my hand. At that moment, he was a modern-day Barnabas to me. Next time we’ll consider another way to encourage.