INTRODUCTION:
Our interest is not usually aroused when we hear or speak of a good man. The word “good” has fallen into bad company and has lost much of its former significance. The modern sheik, the negative person who never swears, or steals are usually spoken of as good people. The word is a good one and was employed by inspiration. Why did the Holy Spirit call Barnabas good, and what are some of the characteristics that go to make up a good man? We should all want them.

HE WAS PROFICIENT IN THE GRACE OF STEWARDSHIP:
1. Acts 4:36-37 – “Son of comfort” – sold possession and gave to the apostles.

2. What does it mean to be a good steward? A recognition of the ownership of God and a willingness to put ourselves and all we have at His disposal (2 Cor. 8:5). The churches of Macedonia gave themselves.

3. Everyone may not be called upon to do the same thing. God’s revealed will and our ability and circumstances or opportunities must determine our responsibility.

4. A man may be liberal and not good, but no man can be good and at the same time be a covetous man (Luke 16:10).

HE WAS A MAN OF FAITH:
1. He had faith in God and that lay in back of all that he did and all that he became.

2. He also had faith in men, and such confidence in men is an essential to true goodness.

3. Some examples of his faith in men:
a. Acts 9:26-27
b. Acts 15:36

4. Such a virtue is sometimes thought of as weakness, but faith in men was one of the chief characteristics of Jesus (John 8:1-11).

HE WAS THOROUGHLY MISSIONARY:
1. He believed that the gospel was for all men: Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15. Observe his attitude when he went to Antioch to investigate conditions there. Acts 11:23… He was glad.

HE WAS AN UNSELFISH MAN:
1. This trait is abundantly illustrated by his action in seeking for Saul to assist him in the work in Antioch (Acts 11:25). They later became world-famous missionaries, with Paul overshadowing him, but there is no record of a complaint from Barnabas.

HE WAS DEEPLY SPIRITUAL:
1. A man who is full of the Holy Spirit is certainly one who is wholly given up to God:
a. Acts 5:29-32
b. 1 Cor. 6:19-20

CONCLUSION:
There are compliments more fleshly, but none more greater. Some of us can never have many of the fine things of life, such as being a genius, great, etc., but goodness can be attained by everyone.

the late Wayne E. Holland
from a sermon preached at:
Hayesville, NC (07/05/1981)
Blue Ridge, GA (08/24/1986)
South Boson, VA (12/26/1993)
Roxboro, NC (10/21/2001)