WHO WAS LYDIA?
Lydia was a Godly business woman who sold luxurious purple cloth. She was originally from Thyatira located in Asia Minor. At the time that we read about her in Acts chapter 16, she had moved to Phillipi where she had started her business.
There is no mention in scripture of her being married. Some have speculated that she may have been a widow. Others think that she may just have been single. She was however in charge of a household. It is not clear who lived with her. In those days it was pretty common for servants to be considered part of the household as well as relatives.
Lydia was considered to be quite an affluent business woman, due to the wealthy clients that she did business with. Only the very wealthy could afford purple cloth and furnishings that had been dyed purple. This dye was made from the murex sea snails called a mollusk. It typically took 10-12,000 of these small creatures to produce just a gram of this exotic purple dye, causing it to be extremely expensive to purchase. There is no doubt that she probably had friends who were affluent as well.
Lydia and other women would go to the bank of the river to pray and worship. This is actually where she first met Paul and Silas. Paul shared the gospel with her. God opened her heart and she believed, and was baptized. The scriptures say that her entire household was also baptized. She was the very first convert in all of Europe.
Lydia persuaded Paul and Silas as well as those with them to stay at her home. So, from this we see that she was also very hospitable.
Eventually as the numbers started to grow, her home became the church where they would meet. I feel sure that meals were provided as well. . Clearly she loved God and wanted to support those who carried His Word. Lydia was a great example of someone who was very generous in sharing her wealth to further the spreading of the Gospel.
LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM LYDIA
- Worshipping God should be a priority. Lydia was a worshipper.
- We should work in a way that others in your community or even in your line of work have heard about you? Lydia worked at a level of excellence. She was a successful business woman and she was known throughout the land for her trade.
- We should strive to be influential in our quest to bring others to Christ. Lydia was influential. Because those in her household trusted and respected her, she was able to influence them to accept Christ and be baptized.
- We should keep our homes in such a manner that at a moment’s notice we are prepared to welcome someone in need of a bed or a meal. Lydia was hospitable . Lydia showed great hospitality by inviting perfect strangers into her home.
- We should always have something set aside to share with others. Lydia was very generous. Undoubtedly, having people live with her was an added expense. Although she was a woman of means she still prioritized. She was kind and generous with her wealth. Lydia supported the mission of spreading the Gospel. She welcomed all who came to listen to Paul’s messages.
- Lydia used what God had blessed her with, to bless others. Will you do the same?
