Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 6:36-37

I’ve heard a number of nicknames over the years and some of them were very descriptive. One lady I knew who worked in a psychiatrist’s office was called Squeak by everyone in the office. She embraced the nickname as well, even though it wasn’t initially intended as a compliment.

What nicknames have you heard or used to describe others?

In the passage above, a man named Joseph was only referred to by his given name one time in the New Testament. Instead, he was called Barnabas because of how he consistently exercised his gift of encouragement of others.

In the verses above, he encouraged others in the early church by his generosity.

In Acts 12, Barnabas was instrumental in encouraging the Apostle Paul in his ministry and mission work in the first century.

Barnabas accompanied Paul on his first missionary trip through places like Cyprus, Antioch and Lystra (where Paul was stoned and left for dead).

Again and again, Barnabas is seen as instrumental in the spread of the Gospel. He wasn’t necessarily as visible as Paul, but his work was essential.

If nicknames are earned, what would yours or mine be?