When he came to Jerusalem he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.  But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus (Acts 9:26-27).

With the advent and popularity of social media, a new marketing strategy was born. This strategy is known as “Influencer Marketing.” Businesses, organizations, and movements, both large and small, enlist those with loyal followings on various social media channels to generate awareness of their products and messages. These people are asked to use their influence to cultivate interest in a particular product or service. 

Regardless of how often you use social media or to which platforms you subscribe, you undoubtedly encounter influencers everyday yourself.  Perhaps you have been persuaded to try a new product or lend your support to a cause because of the respect you have for an influencer in a particular space. 

In Acts 4, we meet a man named Barnabas who became an Influencer for the Gospel. He had some land which he sold and “laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:37). But he didn’t do it for his own self-interest and to gain social capital (unlike Ananias and Sapphira; see Acts 5). Nor did he sell it to diversify his portfolio. He did this as an act of worship. To be a landowner in ancient times was a big deal, and he sold the land at great sacrifice. He was being generously hearted, and he demonstrated his commitment to the Way of Jesus to the Apostles. 

Later in Acts 9, we see Barnabas generously using the influence he had earned with the Apostles on behalf of a man named Saul. When this former persecutor of Christians came to Jerusalem to join the disciples to preach the Gospel, it was Barnabas who came to Paul’s defense. He used his influence to persuade the apostles that Paul was now someone who “preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus” (Acts 9:27).

Paul went on to have multiple missionary journeys and plant churches throughout Asia Minor. His writings, inspired by the Holy Spirit, make up nearly one third of the New Testament. Imagine if Barnabas wasn’t generous in his praise and support of Paul? Barnabas was willing to use his influence without seeking to gain power and position for himself. Unlike social media influencers in our day, Barnabas wasn’t trying to “sell” anybody anything. He offered his influence for the good of others even if it didn’t “pay off” for him personally.

Who has been generously hearted to you in your walk with Jesus? Was there someone who took time to listen to a struggle you were having and prayed with you? Or maybe even someone who took the time to get to know you so they could write you a recommendation to help you get a new job or admission to the school of your choice?

There are myriad ways we can be generously hearted toward those in our sphere of influence. What is one way you will take what you possess – your time, or money, or social capital – and “spend” it on behalf of someone else, all for the glory of God?