A WOMAN EVERY ENTREPRENEUR SHOULD KNOW

Do you know the story of Lydia in Acts 16?

Lydia was born in the city of Thyatira, located in the region of Asia Minor, a place known for its industries and for producing fabrics dyed with purple. Purple dye was extremely valuable, extracted from a sea mollusk, and used only by wealthy people, nobles, and authorities. This made Lydia’s profession one of prestige and high income. Lydia was not only a woman of faith — she was also a businesswoman.

And there is something very powerful in this story… a detail that changes everything: Lydia placed God at the center of her life and her business.

Raised in a Greco-Roman culture but influenced by Jewish monotheism, Lydia was a God-fearing woman, meaning a Gentile who worshiped the God of Israel. From a young age, she attended Jewish gatherings, learning the commandments, the Psalms, and the prophets.

The Bible shows that even before opening her home to the Gospel, Lydia already had structure, influence, and a successful business. This teaches us something important: prosperity is not a sin. Although she was a successful businesswoman, Lydia did not allow wealth to distance her from spirituality. Entrepreneurship can also be a calling and a purpose.

Later, Lydia moved to the city of Philippi in Macedonia, an important Roman colony. There she established herself as a seller of purple cloth and owned her own home, making her financially and socially independent — something rare for women of that time. Bringing this into today’s reality, it reflects exactly what many women hope for when starting their own business or opening a children’s store from scratch: to reap the rewards of their work and live independently.

Lydia gathered with other women to pray by the riverside when she met Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke — missionaries traveling through Europe after receiving a vision calling them: “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

Paul began speaking about Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, who died and rose again for the salvation of mankind. His words deeply touched Lydia. The Bible says that the Lord opened her heart to understand the things Paul was saying.

At that moment, the faith Lydia had cultivated found its fulfillment. She believed with all her heart. She and her entire household were baptized right there by the river — a home opened to the Gospel. After her baptism, Lydia made an invitation that revealed her generosity and desire to serve.

“After she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,’ she said, ‘come and stay at my house.’” — Acts 16:15

After hearing the Word, Lydia opened the doors of her home, served people, and transformed what she had into an instrument of purpose.

She welcomed the missionaries into her house and turned that place into a support center for the missionary work in Philippi. Her home became the first Christian household in Europe. There is no doubt that prayers, Bible teachings, and meetings of the early church took place there. Lydia became a reference within the new Christian community of Philippi.

Although the Bible does not provide many details about the following years of Lydia’s life, her name echoes through the centuries as an example of Christian hospitality, female leadership in the early church, willingness to hear and obey the voice of God, courage, and commitment to the Gospel.

Lydia was the first Christian convert in Europe — a kind, hardworking, God-fearing woman whose heart was opened to receive the truth of the Gospel. Her story in Acts 16 shows how God uses ordinary people to open extraordinary doors. She represents the power of a prepared heart that, upon hearing the Word, responds with faith, action, and service.

Lydia’s story teaches us that building a business, prospering, and having our own company can also be part of our mission — always placing God before every decision, although many times we do the opposite. We seek growth, sales, and prosperity… while trying to carry the business alone.

Perhaps today God is reminding you: your business is not only about selling. It is about serving. It is about purpose. It is about who you become in the process.

Lydia shows us that a woman can:be strong,be a businesswoman,achieve results,and still keep her heart completely directed toward God.

May your business not be only a source of income. May it also be a place of light, wisdom, and purpose.

“Acts 16 shows us that God also calls women entrepreneurs.”

Kelly Galvão

Commercial Management Specialist