The Attributes of an Encourager

Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 AMPC

Have you ever been in the presence of someone, that no matter the situation, always lifted your spirits?  Someone who always seemed to say exactly what you needed to hear at just the right time?  Or maybe their quiet presence with you spoke more than comforting words? 

Encouragement means to inspire with courage, spirit or hope, to urge action, to be generous,  and to give strength.  There is a man in the New Testament who exuded all of these qualities, so much so that his friends gave him the nickname, “son of encouragement.”  Joseph was from the tribe of Levi, came from the island of Cyprus, and his friends, fellow apostles, called him Barnabas.  The first time we see Barnabas in scripture is in Acts chapter 4, displaying an act of generosity and encouragement.  

For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”).  He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus.  He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.

Acts 4: 36-37 NLT

In Acts chapter 4, we see Peter and John standing before the council, made up of priests, temple guards and Sadducees, proclaiming Jesus and not backing down, no matter what the threats.  The council decided to let them go because they feared a riot.  Peter and John rushed straight back to the body of believers telling them all that had happened.  After prayer and praising God, the believers were more unified than ever (growing in number every day) and felt that what they owned was not their own so they shared everything they had (Acts 4:32).  Barnabas was one that made a huge impact on this initiative of the believers, possibly spurring others on to do the same.  This was just the beginning of Barnabas life of encouragement.  

An Encourager Invests Time

How many books of the New Testament did Paul write?  Almost one third!  Who was one the first people to stand up for and encourage Paul after his conversion?  Barnabas.  All of the other apostles in Jerusalem were scared of him and didn’t really believe he had turned from being Saul, a treacherous prosecutor of christians, to a follower of Christ given a new name and mission.  

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him.  They did not believe he had truly become a believer!  Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul.  He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.

Acts 9: 26-27

“Then Barnabas…”.  Those words in verse 27 show the heart of an encourager.  The bible isn’t clear about what happened between Barnabas and Saul, but we know the heart of Barnabas and that he “was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith,” (Acts 11:24).  It seems a conversation may have taken place.  Someone took the initiative to spend time, to hear the story, to ask questions, to get to know and then help bring light and truth to others.  Barnabas invested his time into Paul, not just once, but many times.  

An Encourager Values Others

In Acts 11, we see a revival taking place after the persecution and death of Stephen.  Many people were scattered and some went to Antioch to preach Jesus to the Gentiles.  A large number of people were coming to the Lord.  The church in Jerusalem heard about this and sent Barbabas to Antioch to see what was happening.  He was amazed, so much so, he knew he had to go and find Paul and bring him to Antioch.

“When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord…Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul.  When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch.  Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people..”

Acts 11:23, 25-26 NLT

Barnabas knew the value that Paul would bring to these new believers, the Christians that were forming in Antioch.  He knew who they needed in their lives for tremendous growth.  Encouragers see and value the gifts and talents others can bring to the table and seek ways for them to serve for the glory of God.

An Encourager is Steadfast

In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas are called to take a missionary trip.  They decided to take along John Mark, a cousin of Barnabas, as an assistant.  What a thought!  Your first missionary journey is with two greats, Barnabas and Paul.  However, shortly after they leave, John Mark makes the decision to go back to Jerusalem and not continue on the journey. Paul felt deserted by John Mark (Acts 15:38) but Barnabas didn’t give up on him!

In Acts 15:36-37, Paul decided to go on a tour to all the cities where they proclaimed the word of God and see how the new believers were doing.  Barnabas wanted to take John Mark along.  Paul strongly disagreed, so much so that they separated.  Barnabas went with John Mark to Cyprus and Paul went with Silas in the opposite direction. 

This my friends, is a picture of an encourager being steadfast.  An encourager does not give up on the people they are trying to encourage.  God does the same for us.  Aren’t we glad He doesn’t give up on us! Because of Barnabas’ investment into Mark, he also became an encourager, ultimately encouraging the very person who was angry with him.

“That leaves only Luke with me, so find Mark and bring him with you, for he is a tremendous help for me in my ministry.”

2 Timothy 4: 11 TPT

Prayer

Take some time this week to reflect on this topic of encouragement.  Spend time praising God for the people He has placed in your life to be your encouragement in every season of life.  Write a note of gratitude and appreciation to that person.  Journal your gratitude to the Father for how He has encouraged you through His Word and other people.  Pray for you to have the heart of an encourager, to invest time with others, value others gifts and talents, and become more steadfast in your efforts to come alongside those in need of encouragement.  

Discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love.  This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing.  In fact,  we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning.

Hebrews 10: 25-25 TPT