Lydia—How to Honor a Generous God
(Painting of Lydia at St Lydia chapel in Philippi. Courtesy of Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)
That didn’t keep these women from worshipping together, though. They gathered every Saturday at the river for prayer.
But this Sabbath was different. It would change Lydia’s life forever.
And her change can affect our lives as well.
Let’s Gather at the River
A company of strangers approached the river. After exchanging pleasantries with the ladies, the men sat down and began talking about Jesus of Nazareth, the one who had come as the promised Messiah.
As Lydia listened to the one named Paul speak, his words stirred her heart like none she had heard before. So many of the prophecies she knew from the Scriptures suddenly made sense. She responded to Paul’s words—as did her whole household.
In that moment, they believed in Jesus.
(Photo: Krenides River at Philippi. Courtesy of Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)
Let’s Gather at Lydia’s
The Lord not only opened Lydia’s heart to respond to Paul’s message, but our generous God also opened her heart to respond to the needs of the travelers. Her simple invitation revealed her own generosity:
“If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” —Acts 16:15
As a merchant of fine purple cloth, Lydia could afford generous hospitality, and her home could easily accommodate Paul and his companions.
At Lydia’s insistence, they lodged in her house. Moreover, her home eventually became a place where local Christians gathered together (Acts 16:40).
(Photo: Stained glass of Paul and Lydia in Philippi’s St Lydia chapel. Courtesy of Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)
Let’s Learn from Lydia’s Example
Lydia’s hospitality may have even served as the catalyst for the generous, giving spirit of the new church Paul established in Philippi.
Years later, when the apostle wrote to the Philippian church, he recalled their generosity at his initial meeting with them:
“You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone.” —Philippians 4:15
No doubt Lydia was part of those early gifts. She understood that when a generous God redeemed her life, every part of who she was became His. She then honored her generous God with all her life, including:
- her heart (Deuteronomy 6:5)
- her home (Romans 12:13)
- her time (Ephesians 5:15-16)
- her treasure (Luke 12:34)
Lydia serves as a marvelous model of one who recognized that our worship of a generous God can be expressed with anything we choose to offer Him. For, as Paul expressed regarding the Philippians’ generous financial gift to him, it was “a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18).
Question: What area of your life do you especially find joy in serving our generous God with?
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I enjoy going where He leads me into the unknown future according to His plans with hope. Sometimes He leads one step at a time through darkness with only His light at the end of the tunnel. Other times it is in broad daylight in the company of His beloved family and it could be just hop, step, and jump ….. all to His glory with all the resources He has provided, all belonging to Him. Praise The Lord for He never fails and His promises are ever true to those who believe.
Question: What area of your life do you especially find joy in serving our generous God with?
Answer: Using the special talents and gifts HE has given – talents which were not mine – things I could not do before He took them and worked in me and through me to achieve His purpose.
What an amazing God!