Poured out

The apostle Paul encouraged the Philippians to have the same mind as Christ Jesus who ‘did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant’. Phil 2:7. Paul went on to say that he was ‘being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service’ of their faith, in the same way that wine was poured over the burnt offering in the Old Testament, allowing a soothing aroma to ascend to the Lord. Phil 2:17. Ex 29:40. Paul willingly offered himself for the churches as he walked in humility, providing for his own needs while proclaiming the gospel publicly and house to house. Acts 20:19-20,34. He literally emptied himself to suffer beatings, afflictions and persecution wherever he went.

We are all very familiar with Paul’s critical role in establishing the early church, but in the book of Acts we read of another interesting character called Barnabas. His name means ‘son of encouragement’ and we first hear of this faithful man at the very beginnings of the Christian church. He sold a piece of land and laid the proceeds at the apostles’ feet which is our altar in the New Testament. Acts 4:36. Heb 13:10. When Paul went to Jerusalem to submit himself to the apostles after his conversion, it was Barnabas who vouched for him. Acts 9:27. And when the apostles heard news of a large number of people being converted in Antioch, they sent Barnabas to encourage them. Acts 11:22. Although his ministry was very effective, Barnabas left the growing church to get Paul from Tarsus and they laboured together for a whole year. Perhaps Barnabas felt that ‘encouragement’ would not be enough to build the church in Antioch, the place where converts were first called Christians. Acts 11:26.

When Paul set off on his first missionary journey, the Holy Spirit chose Barnabas to accompany him. The Scripture records that he was ‘a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith’. Acts 11:24. He was among the prophets and teachers in Antioch, was regarded as an apostle in his own right, and was called ‘our beloved Barnabas’ by the church leaders in Jerusalem. Acts 13:1, 14:14, 15:25. As we read of their experiences in the book of Acts, we get the impression that Paul and Barnabus were equal co-workers, but at some stage Paul’s ministry grace took priority and at Lystra he was recognised as the chief speaker. Acts 14:12. Barnabas was obviously content to take a lesser role, although he continued to work alongside Paul making tents to support their travels and regularly risked his own life. Acts 15:26, 1 Cor 9:6.

Paul told us to have the same mind as Christ who did not regard equality a thing to be grasped but emptied Himself. Are we happy to allow a peer or a co-worker to rise above us without feeling that our fundamental identity is compromised? Do we grasp at equality or are we happy to take a supporting role while continuing to risk all for the gospel? Just as Barnabas poured himself out on the sacrifice and service of Paul’s faith, we can be poured out on the offering of another.

Sue Falk

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Feature Articles
November 2009

The word of His grace

Where is wisdom?
-Part 2

Believe and be established

Poured out

Yes and no

The gates of righteousness

Sufficient grace

A living sacrifice

Where your
treasure is

Strong in the Lord