I heard a quote the other day that got me thinking. The quote, "Christians are active in the marketplace."
Since the first-century Christians have been active in the marketplace. They have been active wherever God has called them. The church was full of people who worked hard in a variety of professions, and some accumulated land and houses as a result of their efforts. They turned over their property to the church, but then continued to work together and to help the Christian community to thrive. They discovered the truth, then they start to think, 'What can I do next?'"
The members of the early church were always asking, "What can I do next?" A man named Joseph sold a field and gave the money to the apostles, and they gave him the name Barnabas, which means "son of encouragement." The apostles did signs and wonders among the people. Seven church members were selected to wait on tables and provide for the hungry.
As we work hard, share our resources and help the Christian community to thrive, we should also be asking the question, "What can I do next?" Like Barnabas, we can be sons (and daughters) of encouragement.
