There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 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. -Acts 4:34-36
The Bible says that God's grace was being given in such a powerful way that the people truly began to look out for the needs of one another. No one had anything in want, for the church made sure that all were provided for. They took up collections, people donated money, goods, and land, and these were used for those who had need. You see, we not only help others as we can, but there is another way we support one another, and that is with this shared witness of God’s grace. We, having experienced for ourselves the grace of God, now desire to share that grace with others. It’s a coming alongside one another in prayer and encouragement. It’s no coincidence that we are introduced here to a dear brother in the faith, Barnabas, who had the nickname of the Son of Encouragement. That’s not a bad nickname is it? There are worse ones I am sure. God will work and move in our lives and will empower us to use the gifts He has given us, and for Barnabas it was the gift of encouraging those around him. And I know that one way he did this was to testify as the power and wonder of God’s grace.
The problem is that we tend to make this grace more complicated than it needs to be. Here is the way people often view this: "You’re saying that God loved me so much that Christ died on the cross for my sins, that He overcame death through the resurrection, and if I will put my faith in Him I will be forgiven, and that I will have Holy Spirit power for daily living?" Our reply is yes, that’s what we’re saying. Forget trying to earn your way into God’s grace; it can’t be done. God's grace can only be given, and it can only be given through the Lord Jesus Christ.
