Here we have a picture of a community living the life of the Risen Christ in the unity of the Spirit. We have the shining example of Barnabas, who sold all he had and gave it to the apostles. Here is one who abandons all things to follow the Gospel path. Most of us would find it impossible to do what Barnabas did. Indeed for someone with responsiblities it might be sinful. But such inability to do what Barnabas did, as far as his material wealth is concerned, does not excuse us from our following his example. Barnabas encourages us to take our calling as Christians seriously - to be Christians in whatever walk of life we find ourselves. He encourages us to give to our neighbour in need from our abundance of gifts, be it money, energy, friendship, time or Christ.

All the demands of Christianity seem to weigh on us, and at times we can find it almost impossible. But we are not alone. We are not expected to do all these things from our own limited resources. We have Jesus Christ. He was lifted up on the cross and in Him we have access to the Father who loves us unconditionally. We are called to act as Christians not by some external power but as a 'natural' consequence of our having eternal life in Christ. For Christians a life not lived with Christ and in Christ is meaningless.