Lydia was one of the most successful business women in the Bible. You will find his story in the Bible in Acts 16: 14-15. According to biblical records, Lydia was a businesswoman who dyed and sold purple cloth, a material used by the wealthy and elite of the time. This meant that Lydia was working in a high-priced market with a high-level target market.

But Lydia was more than a woman selling luxury goods to the elite and powerful. By all accounts, it appears that she was also the head of her household, the patroness of others, and a woman of great Christian faith. She was the first European convert to Christianity and the first to establish a church in her house for other Christians. The fellowship times included examples of doing business and worship as part of a business woman’s day.

As a powerful woman of God, Lydia has much to offer Christian businesswomen today. Here are seven valuable lessons for women of God from the woman of the Bible, Lydia.

1. Keep prayer in your daily activities. The biblical story of Lydia says that she met the Apostle Paul at a place of prayer. He also opened his home to have worship services for others. Keep your priorities in order as a woman of God. Remember to pray incessantly for everything, including your business activities, making prayer a priority in your daily schedule.

2. Work to please the Lord. Lydia took her responsibility as a Christian businesswoman to work “as for the Lord” very seriously. You can show Christian beliefs through your nature and personality without being aggressive or unprofessional. Show biblical principles through your actions and decisions in your business.

3. Build a powerful company. Lydia was a sensible businesswoman who built a large company in a thriving market. Nothing says that a woman of God has to play small in the business world. Christian business women should be open to working in all kinds of industries and not shy away from the potential for growth. If you are chasing big dreams, use Lydia as your role model for growth.

4. Try non-traditional opportunities. Being a prosperous and wealthy purple cloth merchant, Lydia was in a non-traditional trading category during her time. Don’t avoid taking advantage of non-traditional business opportunities. Consider working in fields where few or no women are already excelling, and create new paths to success.

5. Find the balance between work and home. Lydia kept her home even while running a powerful business. Every woman has to find a way to keep her balance, keeping her home in order while running a business. It could mean downsizing or hiring help. Use your business skills to find out what works for you and do it all.

6. Learn how to grow your business. Lydia’s business was so successful that she had to hire employees. Growing a business means eventually needing to hire help. That help can come in the form of part-time assistants, independent contractors, freelancers, or full-time employees. Start in the early stages of business planning to consider how and when you will begin to hire help to help you expand your business operations. This creates jobs for others, increases the economy in your area, and increases your status and influence as a business professional.

7. Know that you can be prosperous. Lydia shows that successful Christian women can be very prosperous. There is no reason to fear money or avoid making large amounts of money in business. The important key is to control your heart so that money does not become your focus instead of God. Lydia was a businesswoman in the Bible who prospered while giving all the glory to God.