“Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people.” (Colossians 3:23, CSB)
(This week we are studying various women of the Bible to see what lessons we can learn from their lives. Today, let’s look at Priscilla, a New Testament believer who along with her husband, Aquila, ministered in various ways.)
You may know someone who seems to possess numerous talents and abilities and does them all well. They are good at juggling various tasks while smiling the whole time. Wise and caring, they make those around them feel comfortable. I have a feeling that Priscilla, who is first mentioned in Acts 18, was one of those women. Whatever she did for the Lord was done “from the heart.”
ministering at home
For a bit of background, Priscilla and Aquila were Jewish believers who had lived in Rome. During the reign of emperor Claudius, all Jews were expelled from Rome, and the couple relocated to the Greek city of Corinth. It was here that they first met the apostle Paul, a fellow tentmaker by trade. They welcomed Paul into their workplace and into their home during the time he spent in their city.
As we trace the story of Aquila and Priscilla through Scripture, we find a couple who worked well together in ministry and in life. Their home was open to others, and so were their hearts. Later, after moving to Ephesus with Paul, they began a church in their home (I Corinthians 16:9). We see their wisdom in the way they reached out to Apollos, who only knew John’s baptism, to guide him into a full understanding of the gospel (Acts 18:26). They did not confront him openly, but quietly shared Jesus with him.
co-workers in ministry
It’s very clear from Paul’s words in Romans 16:3-4, that the couple was very valuable to him personally as friends and co-laborers in the gospel and to the work of God as a whole. Their lives touched many in a meaningful way. “Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches” (NLT).
When looking at the life of Priscilla, we see someone hospitable, encouraging, and caring. Her home became a place of ministry. Priscilla carefully handled the Word to teach others and help them grow in truth. She and her husband complemented each other in doing kingdom work.
complementing each other
The wonderful thing about the body of Christ is that everyone has a unique place to fill. God has gifted each of us with special talents and abilities to minister to our lost and hurting world. We do not compete with each other in the body; we complement (balance, complete) each other. Your strength may be in an area where I am weak. By working together, we will fulfill God’s commission to reach our world.
Like Priscilla and her husband, Aquila, whatever we find to do for the Lord, let it be done from the heart.
“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” (Romans 12:6-8, NLT)
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