Most of us have heard of Barnabas, but we may not know much about him. He appears in Acts as a second-string player along with the big names like Peter and Paul. But if you follow the thread of his story through Acts, it reveals a wonderful example of a life of stewardship.

Luke first slips in Barnabas's name as he describes the early days of the Jerusalem church. Barnabas's actual name is Joseph, but the disciples had an apt nickname for him, Barnabas, which Luke tells us means "son of encouragement." It's apt because true stewards encourage others as they quietly use their talents, money, and time in the service of God's kingdom.

Barnabas, we are told, sold a field and took the proceeds to the disciples as an offering for the community. It was God's field anyway, and now it was put to work for God's growing church. Interestingly, the next chapter tells the story of the scheming Ananias and Sapphira, who wanted to appear like encouraging stewards but were interested only in their own reputation.

In Acts 9, Barnabas appears again in a crucial supporting role. He introduces Paul, who is still suspect from his violent past, to the leaders in Jerusalem. Barnabas, the trusted colleague, recognizes Paul's gifts, and makes sure the leaders see them as well. Like all good leaders, he is a steward not only of his own gifts, but the gifts of others. He doesn't want Paul's enormous gifts to go to waste because of the understandable suspicion about him.

Next, Barnabas shows up in Acts 11 in Antioch. Things are really happening in this important city. Gentiles are pouring into the church there, and this causes quite a stir. Recognizing Barnabas's gifts with people and his keen instincts, they send him to see what's going on. Like a good steward, Barnabas wasn't fazed by the problems but saw the huge opportunity Antioch presented. And, also true to form, he sought out the unique gifts needed to shepherd this church, and headed to Tarsus to persuade Paul to offer his expert teaching to these young Christians in Antioch. Again, Barnabas was involved in the stewardship of the community's money by bringing an offering to the suffering church in Jerusalem.

The next time we meet Barnabas, he's back in Jerusalem with Paul in the thick of a great controversy in the early church about how to deal with the Gentiles. He and Paul argued forcefully that the only way to steward the Spirit's work among the Gentiles was to recognize it as a "God movement" and go along for the exciting ride.

Barnabas's final appearance in Acts is a sad one. He and Paul have a sharp disagreement over John Mark. The young disciple has messed up in some way, and Paul has no patience with him. Barnabas, ever the steward of the gifts of the church, wants to give John Mark another chance. When Paul refuses, Barnabas elects to leave his long-time partner and invest in the development of John Mark's gifts. It likely paid off in that many recognize this man as the author of the gospel of Mark.

So this is what stewardship looks like in one remarkable man, the "son of encouragement." What does it look like for you?