By Nelson Semanu BOANDOH-KORKOR & Elizabeth BOANDOH-KORKOR
“Money is not sinful or evil. The kingdom of God needs it desperately! Making money is what I do best but it must be made for God’s glory and not mine. As a Christian entrepreneur, my company relies on prayer and inward confirmation by the Holy Spirit before making any decision. I believe God is interested in my business if my business is His business.” ~Robert Norman Edmiston, Evangelical British Billionaire
Remember how we defined a Financial Evangelist as someone who dedicates their resources to furthering the gospel? Today, we embark on a journey through scripture, encountering real-life examples of individuals who embodied this powerful principle.
Prepare to be inspired by these remarkable figures who leveraged their financial means to amplify God’s kingdom. We’ll dive deep into their stories, uncovering the motivations, strategies, and impactful outcomes of their financial evangelism. Ready to discover heroes of faith who put their money where their heart was? Let’s continue from where we left off last week!
Financial Evangelist 5: Lady Joanna
Lady Joanna stands as yet another remarkable and affluent woman who channeled her financial resources to propel the cause of God’s kingdom forward.
As the wife of Chuza, the esteemed chief steward in the court of Herod, she harnessed her position and financial prowess to bolster the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Joanna’s benevolent contributions were pivotal; without her compassionate support, the ministry of Jesus might have encountered substantial financial challenges. May the divine grace bring forth more such individuals to uplift and fortify the church!
Wikipedia details Joanna’s profound impact:
“Joanna, a woman mentioned in the Gospels, experienced healing by Jesus and later emerged as a dedicated supporter of him and his disciples during their journeys. She is one of the women chronicled in the Gospel of Luke who accompanied Jesus and the twelve apostles, bearing witness to the miraculous resurrection of Jesus. Joanna was united in matrimony to Chuza, entrusted with managing the household of Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, in his capacity as steward.
As it unfolded, Jesus journeyed through cities and villages, proclaiming the uplifting message of the kingdom of God. Alongside the twelve apostles, a group of women who had been liberated from malevolent spirits and infirmities by Jesus’ grace journeyed with Him as well. This company included Mary, also known as Magdalene, from whom seven demons had been cast out, as well as JOANNA, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward. Susanna and numerous others were also part of this assembly, wholeheartedly providing sustenance for Jesus from their personal resources.”
Indeed, the narrative of Lady Joanna underscores her pivotal role in ensuring the continuation of Jesus’ mission.
As a steadfast benefactor and witness to the miraculous, her influence exemplifies the profound impact of using wealth for a higher purpose.
Financial Evangelist 6: Lady Susanna
Susanna emerges as a significant figure among the women who contributed financially to Jesus’ ministry, as documented in Luke 8:1-3. There is speculation that she might have been the spouse of Joseph of Arimathea, a prosperous trader in tin who possessed a fleet of ships and harbored a concealed devotion to Jesus Christ.
The scriptural account in Luke 8:1-3 paints a vivid picture:
“In due course, as Jesus traversed every city and village, proclaiming the joyful tidings of the kingdom of God, the twelve apostles accompanied Him.
Also, in their midst were certain women who had been liberated from malevolent spirits and afflictions. Among them was Mary, known as Magdalene, from whom seven demons had been expelled. Another was Joanna, the wife of Chuza, a steward in Herod’s service.
Additionally, there was Susanna, along with numerous others, who extended their support by contributing from their own resources.”
This depiction highlights Susanna’s active participation in nurturing Jesus’ mission through her financial contributions.
Moreover, intriguing speculation revolves around her potential connection to Joseph of Arimathea, a prosperous merchant renowned for his ownership of an extensive fleet of ships. He is noted as a secret disciple of Jesus.
This association adds depth to Susanna’s role, suggesting a network of committed supporters working in harmony to advance Jesus’ cause.
Financial Evangelist 7: Lady Lydia
Lydia, a pioneering European convert and a shrewd businesswoman, dealt in the luxurious trade of purple fabrics, items of remarkable value during that era.
Originally hailing from Thyatira, she had established herself in Philippi, where her path converged with that of Paul during his second missionary journey.
Her specialty in purple cloth, closely associated with Thyatira’s renown as a hub for the indigo trade, hints at her expertise and trade connections.
While the Bible does not explicitly verify her membership in the dyers’ guild, inscriptions discovered among Thyatira’s ruins hint at such a possibility.
Embarking from Troas, we navigated a direct route to Samothrace and proceeded to Neapolis, eventually reaching Philippi—the preeminent city in that Macedonian region.
In this city, we lingered for a span, and on the Sabbath, we ventured to the riverside, where the customary place of prayer was situated. Seated amidst a gathering of women, we engaged in dialogue.
During this encounter, a woman named Lydia, hailing from Thyatira and known for her trade in purple, intently absorbed our words. She was devout, a worshiper of God, and in a remarkable turn of events, the Lord unlocked her heart, rendering her receptive to Paul’s teachings.
This profound transformation led to her baptism, alongside her household. Filled with gratitude, she implored us, proclaiming, “If you consider me faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” Her heartfelt persuasion resonated with us, and we accepted her gracious invitation.
Lydia’s exceptional success as an entrepreneur is evident through her ownership of not only a residence in Philippi, where she conducted business, but quite possibly another in her hometown Thyatira, modern-day Turkey.
Remarkably, she opened her dwelling to accommodate missionaries, which ultimately resulted in her own salvation. Her passion for both business and ministry became intertwined as she fervently urged Paul to take lodging under her roof during his ministry journey.
This narrative serves as a compelling testament to Lydia’s multi-faceted character—a savvy merchant, a devout believer, and a generous host.
Her story continues to inspire, showcasing how her entrepreneurial acumen and fervent faith intersected to contribute significantly to the spread of Christianity.
Financial Evangelist 8: Priscilla and Aquilla
Priscilla and her husband Aquila encountered the Apostle Paul during his visit to Corinth around 50 C.E. This trio would go on to forge an unbreakable camaraderie, embark on shared journeys, and collaborate in ministry.
However, our story begins nearly a year earlier, in 49 C.E., when Emperor Claudius, as documented by Suetonius, expelled all Jews who followed “Chrestus” (likely a misrepresentation of “Christ”) from Rome.
Among those exiled were Aquila and Priscilla, who resettled in Corinth and established a thriving leather goods business (Acts 18:2). By the time Paul crossed paths with them, they were already fervent disciples of Jesus.
Subsequently, they accompanied Paul to Ephesus, staying on to provide unwavering support to the burgeoning congregation. While in Ephesus, Priscilla and Aquila offered precise guidance to the eloquent preacher Apollos, particularly regarding the gospel’s teachings on baptism (Acts 18:26).
After Claudius’ decree was overturned, they returned to Rome (Rom 16:3-4). Priscilla and Aquila are explicitly mentioned six times in the New Testament, consistently acknowledged as a united pair (Acts 18:2-3; Acts 18-19; Acts 26; Rom 16:3-5; 1Cor 16:19; 2Tim 4:19).
They held influential positions within the fledgling churches and commanded profound respect. Their collaborative partnership serves as an exemplary model of early church ministry (see Rom 16:7; 1Cor 9:5).
Paul designates them as his “partners” in spreading the gospel, praising their willingness to face adversity on his behalf (Rom 16:3-4), and noting twice that congregations gathered in their homes (Rom 16:5; 1Cor 16:19).
This dynamic duo also excelled as entrepreneurs within the early church marketplace. Priscilla, a savvy businesswoman, displayed a deep understanding of spiritual matters. She actively contributed to fortifying Paul’s ministry. Historical records indicate that Priscilla held a prominent position, as evident in Acts 16:26; 18:18; Romans 16:3; 2 Timothy 4:9.
Aquila, whose Latin name signifies “eagle,” embarked on a journey from Pontus, his homeland in northern Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) near the Black Sea, to Rome. He practiced the trade of tentmaking, a skill often pursued by emancipated slaves, analogous to Paul, a Roman citizen by birth, who also engaged in such labor.
About the authors
Nelson Semanu Boandoh-Korkor is a distinguished figure, acclaimed as an Author, Publishing Consultant, Christian Business Coach, and a fervent Financial Evangelist. Nelson is a forex trader, cryptocurrency investor and metaverse enthusiast.
Elizabeth Boandoh-Korkor (CA) is an accomplished Chartered Accountant with extensive experience as a Financial Management Consultant, spanning close to two decades in both the not-for-profit and banking sectors. You can reach out to them on +233549762233 or [email protected]
