Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’) sold a field… and brought the money… [to] the apostles. But Ananias and Sapphira [lied]. Acts 4:32 – 5:3.

All Christians are ministers; some ministers are pastors. All members of Christ’s body have a ministry-function; some are called to lead, to be shepherds.

These shepherds, or pastors (it’s the same word) model Christian behaviour, mentor others in the essentials of the faith, and have authority to lead, feed, nourish, and train those the Chief Shepherd, Christ, commits to their care.

Their ministry is to marked by generosity (like Barnabas), authority (like Peter’s), and integrity (unlike Ananias and Sapphira). Their essential task is to ‘incarnate’ God’s love, and help the Ananiases and Sapphiras in the church believe they’re OK even if they do not yet have the faith and maturity of Barnabas. So no one has to be phony, to be a hypocrite, committing the gross sin of sacrilege (pretending to offer to God what we are not really offering to him).

Lord, encourage me to encourage my pastor/s, so that they in turn may encourage others. Amen.