Benefit
#1: You get to create a small slice of heaven right on this
earth.
We
all know that earth is not heaven. There will always be inequality
and unmet needs here on this earth. Always be people with too
much and people with too little.
But
once in a while, there can be kind and generous deeds of such
a magnificent nature that people can literally catch a glimpse
of heaven. One such moment took place in the early church.
People
were being persecuted for their faith in Christ. And so they
were losing jobs left and right. Even their homes were confiscated
and they became homeless. Instantly a decent citizen can be
reduced to a homeless beggar because of his faith in Jesus Christ.
There were a lot of needy people in the Christian community
just for that reason.
This
was definitely a crisis of major proportions, but also a huge
opportunity to demonstrate Christian love.
And so people who were unaffected by the persecution gave generously
and sacrificially in order to meet the needs of others.
Acts 4.34-35: `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.'
Barnabas
was one such generous contributor. V.36 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.
The
outcome of these acts of generosity was astounding. For in v.34
it is said: that there were `no needy persons' among them. No
needy persons?
Of
what place on earth can you say: there are no needy persons?
Answer: Only in heaven!
But
here the believers were experiencing a slice of heaven -because
who had the resources cared enough to truly become 'there you
are' kind of persons.
Back
in my college days I had a friend named Chris Walker. He wasn't
a particularly wealthy person. Because of his scholarship status
he had to work many hours on the dish belt. But Chris, a dedicated
Christian delighted in acts of incredible generosity.
One
time a bunch of us was studying late into the night. We got
terribly hungry but none of us had the gumption to go out and
get pizza. All of a sudden Chris charged into the room, cake
in hand. `Enjoy!' he says as he plunks the cake down onto the
coffee table. For me it was a sacred moment. It wasn't just
a slice of cake. It was a slice of heaven!
The
first benefit of being a 'there you are' person: you can create
a slice of heaven right on this earth.
The
second benefit of being a 'there you are' person:
You
get to see miracles happen right before your very eyes.
What
is the greatest miracle on earth? Some say powerful changes
in nature like the eclipse of the sun. I disagree. Not the changes
in our physical environment but powerful changes in the human
heart. That's the greatest miracle!
All
of us have met people that are so resistive to change that you
are forced to conclude: this person will never change.
One
of my greatest joys is to witness powerful changes in the lives
of `difficult' people.
Have
you seen a selfish person change into a big hearted generous
person? I have. Right before my very eyes. And this took place
because of kind deeds done to him by 'there you are' kinds of
persons.
Priscilla
and I used to have potluck dinners in our home every Sunday
night. Everyone brought generous portions of food. John (not
his real name) brought nothing or at most half a bottle of coke.
But he'd eat the most and bring the most home. People could
have been appalled at this lack of generosity. Especially those
younger in the faith. But no, the 'there you are' persons just
loved him and brought extra in order that he and others could
have plenty.
Over
time, John began to change. Right before our very eyes.
He started to bring more food. He became the first to greet
others. The first to offer rides to others who needed transport.
The first to offer to help clean up. He had caught the `there
you are' fever. And it was a great miracle!
Acts
13. 52: And the `disciples' were filled with joy and with the
Holy Spirit.
What
a wonderful thing it is to be used by God to bring changed lives
in other people. It must have given Barnabas enormous pleasure
to see folks becoming committed followers of Christ and living
out the Christian life to the full.
Benefit
#3: In a way that you do not even notice, you are changing
human history.
The
most dangerous person in the early church was none other than
someone named Paul. Why was he so dangerous?
Because
he liked to put Christians in prison and even have some of them
killed.
For
him to believe in Christ was of course a good thing. But many
people were thinking: is he real or is he a fake? Would he actually
be a spy? If so, many lives would be in danger.
If
Barnabas wasn't a Christian, he would've been an outstanding
gambler. Because when others were too chicken to place their
bets, he anted up and called everyone's bluff.
It
was indeed a stroke of investment genius.
The
result as we all know is that this investment yielded phenomenal
returns.
Among
all the giants of the church, Paul stands really tall.
Not
only was he the church's first missionary, he was also the shining
example and model for everyone to emulate.
The
pages of scripture he wrote affected the lives of countless
millions.
Perhaps
many of you will agree with me that a Christianity without Paul
would've been much less than what it is now.
But
if you asked Paul himself, he will definitely say: if not for
Barnabas, his unfailing help, encouragement, and support, I
would never have made it this far.
Benefit
#4: By being a 'there you are' person, you can help failed
heroes restore their true heroic colors.
Many
heroes have their difficult moments. Even the most successful
persons can suffer a reversal of fortunes.
In
a cruel and practical society, many like to hit you when you're
down.
When
you're hot, they put you on the highest pedestal. But when you're
down, they just let you fail, and perhaps even add to your misery.
For
this very reason, many failed heroes have never been able to
rise above the ashes and find their way back.
But
during this crucial moment, if someone is willing to extend
a helping hand and give them a lift, when their morale is restored,
they can have the strength to come back.
John
Mark wasn't just a hero that has fallen on hard times. He was
a total failure. He failed, because he was disloyal. He failed,
because he was unreliable. You can say that he fell into hard
times solely because he asked for it.
But
Barnabas says, so what if he asked for it! Can't we give him
just one more chance?
As
a result? That one more chance became the turning point of John
Mark's life. One more chance, and a useless man becomes a hero.
One more chance, and a piece of junk becomes a miracle.
From
that point on, Mark could really lift his head high. Because
someone really believed in him, supported him, encouraged him,
Mark ultimately became a useful hero. Who wrote the Gospel of
Mark? Well, Mark!
