Sharing the Saddle
Scripture
Acts 11:25-26 (NASB95)
And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Cowboy Wisdom:
A selfish cowboy who wants all the glory for himself won't last long on any outfit worth riding for. Barnabas could have kept the blessing of ministry all to himself, but instead he rode all the way to Tarsus to find Saul and bring him into the work. He wasn't threatened by Saul's gifts—he saw potential and wanted to develop it.
That's real leadership right there. Barnabas shared the reins, discipled Saul for a whole year, and helped raise up one of the greatest evangelists the world has ever known. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is invest in someone else and give them a chance to shine. Think about it—Barnabas was willing to take a chance on Saul, a man who had persecuted Christians not long before. He saw what God could do through a surrendered life, and he invested a whole year pouring into him. The greatest legacy we can leave isn't what we accomplish ourselves, but who we raise up to carry on the work when we're gone. It takes a secure man to bring in someone who might eventually outshine him, but that's exactly what Barnabas did. And because he was willing to share the saddle, the gospel spread further and faster than if he'd tried to do it all alone.
Questions for Reflection:
Do you tend to hold onto ministry opportunities for yourself, or do you look for others to invest in?
Is there someone God is calling you to mentor or encourage in their spiritual journey?
The believers in Antioch became so much like Christ they were called Christians. What would people call you based on how you live?
Prayer Focus:
Jesus, help me to see the potential in others the way Barnabas saw it in Saul. Give me a generous heart that's willing to share opportunities and invest in developing other believers. Make me so much like You that people see You in me.
