(story told in Acts 16:11-40)
Lydia was a successful businesswoman from the city of Philippi, known for selling purple cloth, a luxury item in the ancient world. She was also a worshiper of God, meaning she believed in the one true God even before hearing the message of Jesus. When Paul and his companions arrived in Philippi, they went outside the city gate to a place of prayer, where they met Lydia and other women gathered to worship.
As Paul shared the good news about Jesus, God opened Lydia’s heart to believe. She listened carefully and accepted the message with joy. Immediately, she and her household were baptized, showing her faith publicly. Lydia then invited Paul and his companions to stay at her home, saying, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” Her hospitality and generosity made her home one of the first meeting places for Christians in Europe.
Later, when Paul and Silas were imprisoned for preaching, Lydia remained faithful. After their miraculous release, they went to her house to encourage the believers who met there. Lydia’s courage and leadership helped the new church in Philippi grow strong, even in the face of persecution.
Her faith didn’t just change her own life—it influenced her entire household and community. Lydia used her resources and her home to serve God’s mission and support those spreading the gospel.
Lydia’s story reminds us that faith can flourish anywhere—in a marketplace, a home, or a heart that’s ready to listen. Through her open heart and generous spirit, Lydia became a shining example of how one believer’s hospitality can help spread God’s love to the world.