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of the warnings Jesus taught us was that “it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:23). That is because the love of money can easily crowd out our faith, robbing us of the confidence we have in trusting the Lord for our daily bread. Many have fallen into the snare that wealth and success brings, even to the destruction of their faith in the Lord Jesus. This includes not only those who already have wealth but also those who focus their lives on pursuing riches and success. However, there have been many wealthy and successful entrepreneurs who have kept their focus and faith in the Lord. These include people such as millionaire David Green, the Christian founder of Hobby Lobby; Dave Thomas of Wendy’s fame; Henry H. (H. J.) Heinz, who built his company on Christian principles; Cecil B. Day, founder of Days Inn; and Truett Kathy, founder of Chick-fil-A, who taught Sunday school for over 50 years and whose religious convictions were an integral part of his company. We can add to that list Sam Walton, James C. Penney, Conrad Hilton, and James L. Kraft, all who were Christian men who insisted that their companies be built on Christian principles and practices.
One truly successful merchant mentioned in the Bible was also someone whom we can respect for her Christian values. This entrepreneur was a woman named Lydia. Although Lydia is mentioned only twice in the Bible, she played an important role in the early Christian church.
Lydia was a resident of Philippi, in Macedonia. Paul had been instructed by the Lord to go into Macedonia and share the gospel. Paul and Silas met Lydia near the river outside the city gates as they looked for a quiet place for prayer. It was here Paul and Silas “began to speak to the women who had gathered there” (16:13). Lydia was a respected woman in her community. The Bible tells us that Lydia was “a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira” (16:14). Thyatira was a city in the western region of Asia Minor called Lydia, likely the place after which she was named. Lydia had a successful business selling purple fabric or dye, a rare color used especially for the clothing of the royalty of her day. Scripture leads us to believe that her business was successful and that Lydia was an intelligent business woman.
Lydia, however, made Bible history not for her business success but for her faith. She had become a follower of the Lord as her heart was opened to Paul’s message. We read that “she and the members of her household were baptized” (16:15). Lydia and her family became known as the first converts on the continent of Europe. Her conversion opened the door for the Word of God to spread throughout Europe.
Lydia was truly an example of a successful business person who did not let success cloud her mission. Instead, that success became a tool for her faith in the Lord. How many customers did Lydia greet with the joy and hope she had in the life and death and resurrection of her Savior, Jesus Christ? How many fellow business people did she meet who noticed that she placed her trust not in her wealth but in her Savior? How many of her employees watched as she witnessed her faith at home and at her workplace? Lydia shows us that successful business people can indeed become influential tools in the hands of the Lord. She shows us that the one thing needful is not wealth and success but, rather, an investment in the riches of salvation.
Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold. Amen.
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