7 Bible Women Leadership and Business Role Models to Inspire Christian Women in Business

Christian women today have many biblical-day mentors and role models on which to base their businesses and leadership ventures. The qualities and characteristics of these longtime women provide patterns for running successful businesses, as well as for participating in government, legal affairs, community organizing, and even military operations. Most of these women were married and some worked from home. The activities of these women are often not discussed, leaving some of the best means of motivation and encouragement for contemporary women unknown. This article presents a brief background along with the qualities and skills of only 7 high-level Biblical women in business and leadership who have lessons to share today.

1. Rahab: Joshua 2: 1-22; 6: 17-25. Rahab was a businesswoman who ran a lodging place and supported her family members. Often misrepresented as a prostitute, there is no evidence for this in the Bible. She became known for her willingness to take great risks to negotiate with new people to protect herself and her family. Managing a lodging facility meant being able to manage a team of workers, keep customers happy, and serve the needs of people of all backgrounds. It also meant being misunderstood by those who did not understand this non-traditional entrepreneurial role of women. Rahab’s leadership qualities and skills included being hardworking and wise, having a business plan, management skills, and negotiation skills.

2. Lydia: Acts 16: 14-15, 40. Lydia was a well-known businesswoman who dyed and sold purple fabrics. Royalty and the wealthy wore purple clothing. That meant it had a high-level target market. His business had to provide a consistent, high-quality product to meet the standards and needs of a wealthy clientele. He also had employees, which means that his company provided jobs for people in his community. Lydia was an entrepreneur who probably would have had a corporate structure. He displayed qualities and skills that included managing and growing the organization, training and developing employees, and strong skills in the target market.

3. Priscilla: Acts 18: 1-3; 24-28. Priscilla worked alongside her husband, Aquila, as partners in a tent doing business from home. She was first mentioned as the mentor of the great Apollo, whom she helped guide to preach with more direction and authority. He also traveled extensively as an evangelist. Her qualities and skills were in working in harmony in a business partnership, running a business from home, business development and growth, multitasking, coordination, human relations, and mentoring skills.

Four. Hulda: 2 Kings 22: 14-20: 2 Chronicles 34: 22-28. Hulda was a prominent prophetess and married woman who was sought out by the King’s Counselors for advice on spiritual matters. Hulda was known to be honest, highly intelligent, and a scholar of the Scriptures. The qualities and skills she shares with contemporary Christian women include being a strategist, teacher, strong communicator, lifelong learner, and leader who advised others and made difficult decisions.

5. Phoebe: Romans 16: 1-2. Phoebe was a preacher who worked closely with the Apostle Paul. It was sent by Paul to teach and preach the gospel to the new believers in Rome. Paul strongly urged the believers there to accept his preaching and support it while he was in Rome. Phoebe understood the right time to reach out to others with new ideas and came up with the right introductions. She went to Rome as an evangelist and some believe as a deacon. The qualities and skills that Phoebe presents are project manager, new ideas evangelist, teacher, preacher and collaborator.

6. Deborah: Judges 4-5. Deborah was the first woman to be a judge of a nation. She was willing to take on the necessary and difficult tasks that others would not do. Through his leadership the laws of the country were understood and ethical behavior was promoted through the law. Deborah led the Israeli army to a victorious battle in a particularly difficult wartime situation when her general refused to go into battle without her. Deborah was a powerful legislator with qualities and skills as an army commander, large group leader, decision maker, motivator, judge, and political official.

7. Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, Acts 8:27. The Candaces were rulers of the African nation of Ethiopia (also known in ancient times as Kush). Unlike the queens of some other African nations of that time, the queens of Kush, who were independent rulers, known as Candaces, a distinctive title that existed for 500 years. A Candace received the information on spiritual matters from her treasurer, who was baptized by the apostle Philip during a long trip on state affairs. She was receptive to new and better ideas to benefit those she represented. These powerful women had qualities and abilities to be political leaders, rulers, and national warriors. They were decision makers, negotiators, and goal-oriented.

Christian women in business have some fabulous Bible women role models for doing business and being leaders in these contemporary times. The few examples given in this article only provide highlights of the kinds of activities that women had as spiritual and church leaders. These women were ministers, servant leaders, organizers, motivators, and persuaders. They used effective communication skills, organized events, meetings, and church services. Knowing its lessons can inspire women, even in these modern times, to reach higher goals.