Lydia was a wealthy, worldly woman, bold enough to invite Paul and his ragtag band of missionaries to stay in her home and then take them back in after their stint in prison (Acts 16:40). She opened her home to the believers in Philippi, a group that flourished in her hospitality. Was she the leader of this house church? It’s likely she was. I believe we see her loyal support of Paul and his ministry in his thanks to the believers for their steady generosity (Philippians 4:15-19).
Lydia used every tool she had to take good care of what was important to her and to others: her faith in Christ, the apostle who brought it to her, and the church that grew out of that faith. She cared for these with energy, intelligence, courage, and generosity.
She’s an example of a good steward taking good care of something important, and she took care of it so well that we’re still talking about it, 2,000 years later.
This message is excerpted from “What’s Important to you and how do you take care of it?” by Audrey Novak Riley from the April 29, 2021, blog of the Women of the ELCA. Today we commemorate Lydia, Dorcas and Phoebe, witnesses to the faith.
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