Womenpreneurs are not commonly mentioned in the Bible, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find inspiration in the stories that are shared about them. Come along as we summarize the entrepreneurial stories of Chloe, Lydia, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and Tabitha.

This blog post is derived from the Womenpreneurs Live Series that was hosted live via our Instagram page in February 2022.

Chloe

“My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.”

1 Corinthians 1:11

Although Chloe was only mentioned in one verse in the bible, she was mentioned by her first name and therefore must have been well known. We know that she was the head of her household. She hosted groups of Christians in her household, she must have been wealthy too.

During the time of her mention in the bible, there was a great division among the people of Corinth. Some followed Paul, some followed Apollos, and some followed Christ. Those from Chloe’s household went to Paul and asked him to address the division and set them straight.

So why was Chloe an entrepreneur? During Chloe’s time, there was not a lot of mention of women holding things in their homes. We don’t know if she was married or not, but this verse shows that she was the head of her household and hosted many under her roof. Doing so required great resources.

The Bible is made up of smaller verses about specific women – Chloe being one of them. We should not neglect these verses written specifically about these women because they speak to the lifestyle that these women had at the time. As women, we don’t need a lot – one verse can say a lot!

Some claim that Chloe was not a Christian, but that is beside the point. From this verse, we get the perspective of her wealthy lifestyle.

The point is, as womenpreneurs of God, we can make it with His help. And we know this because we can read about other women who have done it before us, such as Chloe!

Lydia

“From Troas we put out our sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. On the Sabbath, we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.

One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshipper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us into her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord” she said, “come and stay at my hours.” And she persuaded us.”

Acts 16:11-15

Lydia was mentioned by Paul in the book of Acts and was a dealer of purple cloth. Being a dealer, in general, was unheard of during Lydia’s time, so she was a very skilled and successful, and admired woman. Lydia was a woman of great humility as well as wealth – she did not use her status to gain what she wanted.

While Paul was preaching to a group of women, Lydia was singled out. She humbly hosted Paul and his followers, which meant she had great provisions. After she accepted Jesus, she humbly invited Paul and all his followers into her home and became a host to them all.

What can we learn from Lydia’s life? She was successful and influential, confident in her abilities and she loved the word of God. She was a strong presence in her era, her gifts and passions made room for her.

Wearing and dealing in purple clothing at her time was a sign of stature yet had the humility and grace to host others in her home.

Lydia is a great example in the Bible of a woman who was able to ascend to great heights and still have God’s calling in their life and operate in the gifts He’s given them.

The major lesson we can learn from Lydia’s story is that when God grants us a gift, he expects us to use it to our full potential, regardless of our circumstances. She was a woman of great influence and her whole household was baptized through her. Her story shows us that we can grow our confidence by staying close to God. We can rest in the fact that God created us the way he did for a reason and trust his plan for our lives.

Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Suzanna

“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been cursed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”

Luke 8:1-3

These three women supported the ministry of Christ financially with their own resources. Not only Jesus but his 12 disciples as well! These women were entrepreneurs because they supported Jesus’s various travels for 3 years. They would have needed to have had a way to earn money while on the road with Jesus during his travels to 25 different cities. He and his 12 disciples needed places to stay and food to eat.

Mary Magdalene, although not a disciple, followed Christ everywhere. She was healed of 7 demons and supported Jesus’ ministry for 3 years and beyond his resurrection. He called her to do something he knew she was capable of despite her past.

Joanna’s husband was the manager of Harold’s household and they were very wealthy. After being cured by Christ of her illness, Joanna became a disciple and follower of his ministry.

We do not know much about Susanna, but that she was a follower and supporter of Jesus Christ.

What this story teaches us is that the Lord relies on us to bring people to him using what is given to us.

Some argue that women aren’t as important as men in the Bible. But if that were true, then why did Jesus have no problem being supported by women through their own resources?

Every time we refuse to bravely come forward and do what we’re called to do, we turn away from God and the meaningful life he’s designed for us. His word is our greatest tool. We must not be ashamed to share it with others.

These women came from 3 different social classes. Mary Magdalene was poor, Joanna was wealthy, and we don’t know much about Susana. But they came together and did something impactful and meaningful and worthy of praise, thousands of years after their existence.

Tabitha

“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.

Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room.

All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them”

Acts 9:36-39

We are first introduced to Tabitha in Acts as she has become ill and passed away.

She was known for doing good for the poor in her community. She would sew and clothe the widows among her. She was so influential and impactful that when she died, the Lord decided to bring her back to life. After her death, Peter was called at once to where her body was being kept. He told her to get up, and she was resurrected from the dead. Although she died of her illness, she awoke healthily and got right back to work!

Why was Tabitha an entrepreneur? She was not wealthy. People like Tabitha would raise funding to create opportunities for the less fortunate. She was more of a socialpreneur, someone who worked to uphold the greater good in her environment.

What we can learn from Tabitha is that entrepreneurship isn’t just about growing financially – it’s about the value you bring to those around you.

Which one of these womenpreneurs from the Bible can you relate to the most?