Day 13 — Phoebe, a Great Help

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her with anything she may need from you. For she has been a great help to many people, including me.”

— Romans 16:1–2 (BSB)

At the end of Paul’s letter to the Romans, he did something interesting. He listed dozens of people and sent them personal greetings. It’s easy to skip over those names! But if you slow down, you’ll find a lot of amazing women.

The very first name on the list is Phoebe.

Phoebe lived in a port town called Cenchrea, near the city of Corinth. Paul calls her “a servant of the church.” She was known for helping. And Paul says something wonderful about her: “She has been a great help to many people, including me.”

Most people believe Phoebe was the one who carried Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome. That’s a long journey across the sea, hundreds of miles! And the letter she carried, the book of Romans, is one of the most important letters ever written. It has helped millions of people understand the gospel. Paul trusted Phoebe with it.

Imagine being known as someone who is “a great help to many people.” What a beautiful thing to have said about you!

Phoebe reminds us that serving isn’t small. When you help others, you’re doing God’s work. It might not feel important. Carrying a letter, helping at church, looking after someone who’s sick, making food for a family in need: these things might not get you on a stage or in a spotlight. But God sees them, and they matter to Him.

What could it look like for you to be “a great help”?

• Helping a teacher before or after class.
• Helping your mom with a younger sibling.
• Helping at church: setting up, welcoming people or helping in the nursery.
• Helping a classmate who’s struggling.
• Helping a neighbor with a chore.

And look at what Paul asks the church in Rome to do: “assist her with anything she may need.” When you help others, God often brings people to help you too.

Think about it: Who is someone in your life who is “a great help to many people”? How could you be more like her?

Try this: Look for three ways to be “a great help” to someone today.

Dear God, thank You for Phoebe, who was a great help to so many. Help me be that kind of girl, someone who serves others and is a help wherever I go. Thank You that no act of service is too small for You to notice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.