Christian women today have many female mentors and role models from biblical days on which to base their business and leadership endeavors. The qualities and characteristics of these women from long ago provide patterns for running successful businesses, as well as participating in government, legal affairs, community organizing, and even military operations. Most of these women were married and some worked from their homes. The activities of these women often go undiscussed, leaving some of the best forms of motivation and encouragement for contemporary women unknown. This article presents a brief overview along with the qualities and skills of just 7 of the best 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 of this in the Bible. She became known for her willingness to take great risks to negotiate with new people for her and her family’s protection. Running a lodging facility meant being able to manage a team of workers, keep customers happy, and meet the needs of people of all backgrounds. She was also meant to be misunderstood by those who did not understand this non-traditional business role for women. Rahab’s leadership qualities and abilities included being hard-working and wise, having a business plan, management skills, and negotiation skills.

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

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

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

5. Phoebe: Romans 16:1-2. Phoebe was a preacher who worked closely with the apostle Paul. She was sent by Paul to teach and preach the gospel to new believers in Rome. Paul strongly urged the believers there to accept her preaching and support her while she was in Rome. Phoebe understood the right time to approach others with new ideas and came up with the right introductions. She went to Rome as an evangelist and some believe her as a deaconess. The qualities and abilities that Phoebe presents are project manager, evangelizer of new ideas, 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 necessary difficult tasks that others would not do. Through her leadership the laws of the land were understood and she promoted ethical behavior through the law. Deborah led the Israeli army into victorious battle in a particularly difficult war situation when her general refused to engage in battle without her. Deborah was a powerful legislator with qualities and skills as Army Commander, leader of large groups, decision maker, motivator, judge, and political functionary.

7. Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, Acts 8:27. The Candaces were female rulers of the African nation of Ethiopia (also known in ancient times as Kush). Unlike the queens of other African nations of that time, the queens of Kush, who were independent rulers, were known as Candaces, a distinctive title that existed for 500 years. Una 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 the qualities and abilities to be national political leaders, rulers, and warriors. They were decision-makers, negotiators, and goal-oriented.

Christian women in business have some terrific biblical women role models for doing business and being leaders in these contemporary times. The few examples given in this article only highlight the kinds of activities 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 services in the church. Knowing its lessons can inspire women, even in these modern times, to reach higher goals.