Naomi's Advice

Ruth 3:⁵ "I will do whatever you say," Ruth answered. ⁶ So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.

It's uncool to listen to our elders in today's culture. We dismiss their advice as irrelevant, thinking they don't understand who we are or the systems of the modern world.

Naomi shared her wisdom with Ruth, her daughter-in-law, and Ruth was blessed with a marriage, children and prosperity beyond her imagination.

Are you underestimating the elderly in your life? Their keen observations, their knowledge of social systems and wisdom, solely carved from hardship's hands?

This week be open-minded toward those who are a generation or two above you. Listen to their advice. Respect and honor them. View them as blessings in your life.

Photo: "Portrait of a Stranger" by Saibotregeel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61212260@N00/2068274423/)

Ruth's Generosity

Ruth 2:¹⁸ She carried it back to town, and her mother-in-law saw how much she had gathered. Ruth also brought out and gave her what she had left over after she had eaten enough.

How much money do you make? Do you honor God with your wealth? Do you share with your family, friends and the marginalized?

Abundance is not how much money you make. It's trusting and knowing that God is your ultimate Provider and as long as you cling to and trust Him, He will meet all your material needs.

Ruth didn't have a job or husband to support her. But when Boaz gave her the opportunity to gather grain from his field, she shared the fruit of her labor with her mother-in-law. Ruth could've hidden her newfound wealth. She could've complained that Naomi didn't deserve the grain because she didn't lift a finger. But out of the abundance of her heart, Ruth decided to be generous.

Are you struggling with the idea of tithing? Is it difficult to be generous with your family and friends? Today, trust that the Lord is your Provider and He will meet all your material needs. Honor Him with your wealth and be generous to someone in need.

Shattered Pride

Ruth 2:¹⁴ At mealtime Boaz said to her, "Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar." When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. ¹⁵ As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, "Even if she gathers among the sheaves, don't embarrass her. ¹⁶ Rather, pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don't rebuke her."

God opposes the proud and exalts the humble. Ruth exhibited her humility by her whole-hearted trust in God. Why else would she leave the community she grew up in to take care of her mother-in-law? Why else would she live as a second-class citizen in a foreign land?

Ruth's humility and faith allowed her to see who she was in relation to the Almighty. Seemingly difficulty circumstances were a blessing in disguise because they shattered her pride. Her pride in being secure as a married woman who was provided for. Her newfound humility allowed her to see herself as a grain of sand compared to the vastness of the Almighty, and He rewarded her with a divine appointment.

Boaz, who took a liking to Ruth, provided her with food, protection and a source of income. In the same way, when we trust God, and we see how tiny we are compared to Him, He will protect and provide for us.

Do you have areas of pride in your life? Are you proud and overly reliant on your abilities, wealth and achievements? Do you ascribe these to God? Are you too proud to admit your wrong? Today, allow God to shatter your pride and trust that He will exalt you.

Photo: "Let's Go!" by Calca (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75502371@N00/124119876/)

Recognize Christ

Ruth 2:¹⁰ At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?"

¹¹ Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. ¹² May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."

Do you recognize people who are Christ-like? People who are humble, godly and loving toward their family?

Boaz was a prominent man in his community. He must have had hundreds of farmers working for him and many relatives and friends to spend time with. Yet, a simple widow, who exhibited an undying love for God and a unique loyalty for her mother-in-law was what caught his eye and moved his heart. He honored her with his words, and blessed her with his friendship.

How was he able to see Ruth's heart through her simple clothing and humble stature? He, himself, must have been a man after God's heart. Sometimes it takes a Christ-like person to recognize another one.

Today, seek God's heart and pray that you recognize and honor Christ-like people in your life.

Claiming Opportunities

Ruth 2:⁸ So Boaz said to Ruth, "My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with my servant girls. ⁹ Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the girls. I have told the men not to touch you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled."

Do you see other people through God's eyes? Are you able to have compassion and bless others through your talents, position and wealth?

When Boaz saw Ruth, He saw her through God's eyes. He immediately had compassion on the widow who had no source of income. He valued her humility. He called her, spoke to her, initiated a friendship. He provided a source of food and protected her from the men of his field. He offered to quench her thirst.

Boaz was the picture of Christ way before our Heavenly Father sent His only son into this planet, to protect us, feed us and quench our thirst.

Today, open your heart and see others through God's eyes. Value humility and bless others with your talents, position and wealth.

Painting from www.filipinowriter.com

King of the Field

^{Ruth 2:4} Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, "The LORD be with you!" "The LORD bless you!" they called back.

Is God the king of your school or workplace? Do you pray for your colleagues? Do you talk about the Lord with them? Do you bless them? Are your school and work decisions aligned to His will?

In the book of Ruth, Boaz walks into his field and blesses his harvesters. The harvesters bless him back, not just with words but with the field's grain. Let's emulate Boaz's example of a leader.

Today, pray for and bless your colleagues. Align your decisions with God's will, and watch your harvest multiply.

Photo from pacific-islander.blogspot.com

Ruth's Humility

Ruth 2:² And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, "Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor." Naomi said to her, "Go ahead, my daughter."

Have you ever lost someone or something important to you? Parents? Your spouse? Your career and status?

That's precisely what happened to Ruth. She lost her husband--her source of love, income and status. She lost everything. Yet, she decided to look beyond her circumstances. She sought God and pursued Him in her husband's land. But she didn't end there. She took a humble stance. One day, she got up in the morning, put on her working clothes and walked to an unknown field, hoping that she would be able to gather leftover grain.

Are you willing to take a humble stance? Are you willing to give up control, walk into the unknown and seek help? Today, take a humble stance before the Lord and others.