Help-a Tiny Christian Virtue in 360 Exemplary Degrees

No one has to teach us how to cry for help. We need to make a concerted effort to offer it. Help is among the Tiny Virtues for Exemplary Christian Living and sometimes we need a little help learning how …to help.

(Cue the Beatles):

Help, I need somebody
Help, not just anybody
Help, you know I need someone, help
When I was younger, so much younger than today
I never needed anybody’s help in any way
But now these days are gone, I’m not so self-assured
Now I find I’ve changed my mind and opened up the doors
Help me if you can, I’m feeling down
And I do appreciate you being ‘round
Help me, get my feet back on the ground
Won’t you please, please help me
And now my life has changed in oh so many ways
My independence seems to vanish in the haze
But every now and then I feel so insecure
I know that I just need you like I’ve never done before
Help me if you can, I’m feeling down
And I do appreciate you being ‘round
Help me, get my feet back on the ground
Won’t you please, please help me
When I was younger, so much younger than today
I never needed anybody’s help in any way
But now these days are gone, I’m not so self-assured
Now I find I’ve changed my mind and opened up the doors
Help me if you can, I’m feeling down
And I do appreciate you being ‘round
Help me, get my feet back on the ground
Won’t you please, please help me, help me, help me

tiny-virtues-help According to the Beatles, we need help when we’re old, when we’re lacking confidence, when we’re lonely, when we’re down, when we have a tendency to rely only upon ourselves but suddenly find that we’re not enough, and when we lose our footing in life.

The exemplary Christian doesn’t need to be asked before offering help. Barnabas was such a man.

In Acts 4:32-37, we read that no one has any needs because these exemplary Christians helped in advance. Barnabas was so outstanding, his nickname is Son of Encouragement. He’s Mr. Joseph Helperson.

Acts 4:36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

He shows up repeatedly in the Book of Acts as a person who helps, who encourages, and whose life was extraordinary in this tiny virtue. Looking at help in 360 exemplary degrees, Barnabas lives it out in the fullest sense, helping those who need instruction, warning, encouragement, strength, resources, and patience.

He lives out this verse as an example to us: 1 Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.