Two Are Better than One

“Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” (Romans 15:2, ESV)

When Jesus walked here on earth, He often sent His disciples out two by two to minister in surrounding towns. Have you ever wondered why He never sent them alone? Could they not reach more towns and more people much more quickly if they traveled solo? Or did they need the strength and encouragement of each other’s presence? As one minister explained, “God doesn’t usually use us solo because alone we become a coward.”

All of us need an encourager in our life, even those confident people who seem to have it all together. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 tells us:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” (ESV)

BARNABAS, THE ENCOURAGER

For Paul, Barnabas was his encourager. We first encounter him in Acts chapter 4. He was one of the first to sell a piece of property and bring the proceeds to help believers who were in need. In fact, his name was actually Joseph (or Joses) but he was called Barnabas because of his encouraging nature. It’s not surprising that Barnabas quickly stepped forward to speak on behalf of Paul to help dispel their fear of him.

It’s easy to understand why the apostles and believers in Jerusalem had doubts about Paul’s conversion. They remembered his past actions in an attempt to destroy the church. Was this a trick by the man who had persecuted them so severely? But Barnabas, the encourager, convinced them that Paul truly did believe now.

Although it’s difficult to create an exact timeline of events in Paul’s life, about ten years later, the church in Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas forth to minister in other areas. We refer to this as Paul’s first missionary journey. The men were gone for around two years and probably traveled 1,400 miles. The convert and his encourager became co-laborers in the gospel.

A QUESTION TO CONSIDER

Paul seemed an unlikely candidate for the ministry of an evangelist, but God recognized his potential. Paul’s past life did not disqualify him from being mightily use of the Lord. Nor will anything in your past life. After all, God is a God of second chances.

Have you ever wondered what the outcome would have been if Barnabas had not befriended Paul or defended him before the apostles? Paul needed the fellowship and support of the church body as he endeavored to fulfill God’s call upon his life. How many today may need that same encouragement and fellowship? Are we discouraging someone from stepping into their calling because we doubt what God is doing in their life?

Although the Bible does not really say, I imagine Barnabas as a friendly, outgoing person who was quick to offer a warm smile and encouraging word to anyone he met. His personality may have helped him to easily reach out to anyone in need of an encouraging word. Yes, some of us are quieter and even introverted, but anyone can offer a smile and warm words to build up another. We can all be a Barnabas.

Who can you bless today by giving them an encouraging word?

• “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
• “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (I Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)

Devotion by Mary Loudermilk