A) WHO WAS LYDIA IN THE BIBLE? - Acts 16:13-15.

11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.

THE CHARACTERISTIC OF LYDIA

The story of Lydia in the Bible is a powerful one. This woman of such great reputation, class and wealth had an amazing conversion story.

The life of Lydia would have lots of empowering and encouraging messages for the women of today.

The picture of Lydia in the Bible is one of humility, grace, and the power of God to save anyone from any walk of life.

Let’s explore some of the qualities of Lydia that makes her such an outstanding female character in the Bible.

THE STORY OF LYDIA HOUSEHOLD

According to Acts 16, Lydia was from Thyatira in Asia. She was a business woman and a believer in God. 

She traveled to Phillipi probably to do business. On the Sabbath, she found herself at a place of prayer by the river where a gathering of women only worshiped together. 

By God’s orchestration, Paul was told to go to Macedonia in which Phillipi was a province. He showed up at worship on the very day that Lydia was there. 

Paul preached about the good news of Jesus. Lydia believed and was saved. Her entire household was saved as well.

1. LYDIA WAS WEALTHY

Lydia was a city woman. She lived and worked in geographical areas colonized by the Romans. Phillipi and Thyatira were two of the most popular commercial and metropolitan areas of her time. Living in the city can bring many business opportunities.

Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth. A very successful merchant. She was basically in the fashion industry. Lydia ran an empire of sorts.

Purple dye was extracted from either the root of the madder plant or the glands of shellfish found in the Mediterranean Sea.

Lydia was a financial mover and shaker. She was a business mogul with a more than descent fortune for which she worked very hard.

2. LYDIA WAS INDUSTRIOUS

Running a business takes a lot of work. Making purple cloth was also quite a process.

To make the dye alone took days and hours. Over 10,000 snails would need to be harvested from the sea then boiled in vats. This amount would make only 1 gram. That’s just one tiny part of the process.

Then to spin the thread and fabric. All of this was done by hand in those days. No machines.

It was no easy task to pull all the pieces together and then keep up with the supply and demand.

3. LYDIA WAS A WOMAN OF IMPERFECT FAITH

Lydia was believed to be a Gentile but she had learned about the Jewish God and started to worship with the Jews. However, her understanding of God was still not clear enough.

She probably grew up being polythestic, which many Greeks were, believing that each part of creation and life was controlled by a different god.

But Lydia had rejected all of that and had been seeking for truth. When she met the Jewish faith, she would have learned that there was one God in heaven.

4. LYDIA WAS OBEDIENT

After being taught by Paul, Lydia finally got the complete picture of salvation.

Learning about Jesus brought closure to what was missing from all she had been learning.

When she learned what God required her to do, she got baptized.

This was the very first piece of evidence that Lydia had been converted by the gospel. Lydia did not question any further nor did she delay.

She immediately went about obeying the word of God.

5. LYDIA WAS ASSERTIVE AND COURAGEOUS

Lydia was the leader in her household and the owner of a flourishing textile business.

Her assertiveness was seen also when she insisted that Paul and his friends board at her home. She almost forced them into taking up her offer of hospitality.

Then there is the matter of her choice to become a Christian. In those days, it wasn’t popular or cute to be a Christian.

People who believed in Jesus were laughed at, punished and persecuted. But Lydia made the decision to follow Christ anyway.

6. LYDIA WAS HOSPITABLE

The time Lydia received the gospel from Paul, she not only opened her heart but she also opened her home. Well, one of her homes.

Although Paul resisted, she insisted on it. She wanted to make these missionaries comfortable while they travelled and spread the gospel.

They would have a comfortable place to wash up, sleep, and access decent food to eat.

What a blessing that must have been!

7. LYDIA WAS A WOMAN OF INFLUENCE

When Lydia found out about the gospel, she started a fire in her home. A good fire.

She went home and told her family and household what she had found.

They all decided to accept the gospel too. She had such an impact in their lives that she didn’t have to work too hard to convince them of the truth she had found.

B) LESSONS FROM LYDIA IN THE BIBLE

What can we learn about Lydia in the Bible?

1. Mind Your Own Business

Because the Bible is still being misapplied, some women in some congregations, whether married or single, are made to feel badly about wanting to run a business for themselves. There are many women of faith who struggle with whether or not it’s OK to be a business woman.

I believe that there is nothing wrong if you want to be a Christian woman who is also a business mogul.

Having a legitimate business that brings income for your family is God honouring.

So go ahead. Mind your own business if God has placed it on your heart.

2. FIGHT FOR YOUR FAITH

The gathering that Paul joined at the place of prayer had no men. 

These women clearly didn’t care about that. They decided to fight for their faith.

Regardless of what the rules were, they were not going to give up on the possibility of having worship together. They were not going to allow the absence of men or the presence of man-made laws to prevent them from seeking God.

They seemed to say to themselves, “No men? No problem! We will still continue to honour God “Circumstances are not always favourable but keep fighting for your faith.

Whatever you must to keep the flame of your faith alive!

God Bless you and your family!