Openhanded Generosity

The biblical account of the woman Lydia teaches us that she was one of the first Gentile converts after the Resurrection. From her, we may learn much about faithful stewardship and the heart of openhanded generosity.

“One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.” — Acts 16:14-15 ESV

What marvellous grace that it is the Lord who opens our hearts to pay attention to the word preached and spoken! How many times have you dove into the Word of God to emerge refreshed not by your own intellectual capabilities but by the comprehension of spiritual matters so freely given you by the Lord Jesus Christ, through His Holy Spirit? 

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” — 1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV

“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” — 2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT

Compelled by the grace and truth of the Lord, Lydia was baptized, and with grace from the Spirit of God she chose to open her home to the apostles, during their voyage at Thyatira. 

Lydia, being a seller of purple goods, would have been a wealthy woman - purple, being a symbol of luxury, would have meant that Lydia had catered to an elite population. How she stewarded this wealth for the Kingdom of God teaches us about the heart of God for us in our finances, possessions, and whatever else He has entrusted us to steward in the short time we have on earth (Psalm 90:12).

Gospel hospitality is openhanded, demanding nothing in return but expecting God’s abundant provision as we pour out our lives and open our homes and hearts to the poor, the lost and the needy. 

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,you did it to me.’” — Matthew 25:35-40 ESV

Lydia’s heart and acts of hospitality teaches us about the heart of God for our stewardship of what we have as women of God. This is shown quite simply and beautifully in the example of the Proverbs 31 woman.

“She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.” — Proverbs 31:20 ESV

This characteristic of the Proverbs 31 woman is eminent in Lydia, and I pray it will become more and more evident in each one of us as well, as the Lord continually refines our character and renews our minds around openhanded, Spirit-led generosity. 

“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” — Mark 8:36 ESV

I know I myself see glimmers of the the beauty of the gospel each time I witness a sister in Christ extend the grace of hospitality, and I’m sure you can name some who have ministered to you or others with that same awe-inspiring generosity.

As we end, I invite you to pray with me.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for teaching us generosity, and giving us Your Spirit leading us into all truth. You see the hearts and needs of the poor and the needy, the lost and destitute. You saw us and heard our cries, saved us out of our own spiritual brokenness when we first truly received the ministry of Your gospel, Lord. 

I pray You would open our eyes to behold the needs of the world and to be led by Your Spirit in giving generously, with open hands and a softened heart, as You lead us, Lord.

Make us women like Lydia, who will use our persuasion for pure motives of generosity and hospitality, who will use the resources You’ve given us to minister to the needs of the saints, the poor, and the needy alike. Glorify Yourself in our using our gifts for the expansion of Your Kingdom, Lord.

May You be magnified in our good deeds, and bear much fruit in us, that we may prove to be Your disciples (John 15:8).

In Jesus’ mighty, holy and beautiful name we pray, Amen.

As we await His return…

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