“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” (Luke 16:10) In this verse, Jesus was teaching his disciples a basic lesson about stewardship. The immediate lesson was about money. Hence, Jesus’ concluding statement, “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the others. You cannot serve God and money.” (Luke 16:13)

Of course, Christians need to understand the biblical concept of stewardship when it comes to money. However, rightly understood, stewardship is about being faith with whatever the Lord has entrusted to you – money, talents, opportunities, family, and influence – just to list a few possibilities. Nothing that we have is ours by way of right or accomplishment, and everything we have is a gift from the Lord – a gift for which we will one day give an account. How did we use the Lord’s money, talents, opportunities, family, and influence?

A helpful example of stewardship can be found in the life of Barnabas. Barnabas made a remarkable contribution to the spread of the gospel and the growth of the church in the book of Acts. Consider these bullet points from Barnabas’ resume:

• Barnabas was the one who welcomed Saul into gospel fellowship when the rest of the church was skeptical, hesitant, and scared (Acts 9:27).
• Church authorities sent Barnabas to investigate when the gospel began spreading to Greeks. Not only did Barnabas encourage these new believers to be faithful in their walk with the Lord, but he also recruited Saul to help teach the new believers in Antioch (Acts 11:19-26). Barnabas was recognized as one of several prophet-teachers in Antioch (Acts 12:25).
• When the church in Antioch took up a special offering to help the starving believers in Jerusalem, Barnabas was part of the team who was entrusted with that offering (Acts 11:30). The church knew Barnabas could be trusted to handle a large amount of money and to get that money to the people in Jerusalem who needed food.
• When the Holy Spirit called the church in Antioch to send out the first official mission team, it was Barnabas and Saul who were set apart for that work (Acts 13:1-2). On that trip, Barnabas displayed grit and endurance, persevering in the face of persecution (Acts 13:50). His leadership skills were also on display, as many assumed he was the leader and Paul was the spokesman (Acts 14:12).
• Barnabas was one of the people invited to the Jerusalem council (Acts 15:2). Not only was he invited, but Barnabas was also allowed to speak at this important meeting (Acts 15:12). When the council reached a consensus about the conversion of Gentiles, Barnabas was entrusted to carry the letter and report on the decision of the council (Acts 15:22).
• When Barnabas and Paul set out to take a second mission trip, Paul refused to take John-Mark who had quit and gone home early on their first mission trip. Barnabas was so insistent that John-Mark receive a second chance, he was willing to part ways with Paul (Acts 15:39). Later, Paul would be reconciled to John-Mark, and it’s reasonable to assume Barnabas’ decision played a role in that future reconciliation.

I think many believers would love to have the spiritual resume of Barnabas. He was the first to befriend and recruit a great missionary. He was trusted with large missions offerings. He was involved in pioneering mission work. He was part of an important, pivotal church council. He was willing to separate from Paul to give a young believer a second chance. These are great acts performed by a remarkable leader. Many young leaders in the church long for such a resume – one that gives them opportunity and status and recognition.

It is at this point that Barnabas proves a helpful example of biblical stewardship. Long before Barnabas proved himself faithful in big things, he first proved himself faithful in little things. Consider the following examples:

• The first thing we learn about Barnabas is that he was an encourager (Acts 4:36). His real name was “Joseph,” but the apostles nicknamed him “Barnabas,” which means “Son of Encouragement.” This is a helpful insight into Barnabas’ faithfulness in something little. One does not have to have title, position, or prestige to be an encourager. One only needs a willingness to seek out the good in others and to share a word of kindness to a fellow believer. You don’t have to have a special giftedness or a unique skill set to be an encourager. You only have to set out to speak true, gospel centered, encouraging words to another person. Long before Barnabas was asked to speak at the Jerusalem council, he was faithful in the little work of encouraging God’s people.
• The second thing we learn about Barnabas is that he was a good steward of his money (Acts 4:37). Luke tells us that among the early believers, a remarkable spirit of generosity prevented any from having unmet needs. Those who had money or property understood that what they had did not really belong to them – it belonged to the Lord. These good stewards were willing to sell “their” property so that others might not go without. Barnabas was one of these generous individuals who sold a field that he “owned” and set the money at the apostles’ feet. Long before Barnabas was called to be part of the first missionary team, he was faithful in the little work of giving. It doesn’t take a special person to be faithful in giving, nor does it take a wealthy person. Only a person who is willing to be faithful with whatever the Lord has entrusted to them.

Regular pastor, before you long for the big work of gospel ministry, make sure that you are faithful in whatever work the Lord has set before you. Your family. Your church. Your influence. Your money. Your time. Your life.