Scripture Reading: Ruth 2:8-23
On the 4th week of this plan, we read part of the story of Ruth. Ruth took a part-time job gleaning (following behind the paid workers and picking up leftover grain) in Boaz’s field. Boaz noticed Ruth, and .
By arranging for Ruth to have a share of the harvest (Ruth 2:16), Boaz essentially added her to his workforce. This experiment had unforeseen consequences for both Boaz and Ruth. They ended up getting married, and their great-grandson was King David, Israel’s greatest king and an ancestor of Jesus.
If you’ve come through a time of unemployment, you may have extra insight into what it might mean to follow Boaz’s example. How might God be leading you to bring his blessing of fruitfulness to other workers and would-be workers? Who is God calling you to help, as Boaz helped Ruth? Are you willing to trust God and provide opportunities for the poor and vulnerable, knowing that you may not be able to imagine the consequences?
Prayer: Lord, show me how I can help others, even now. Help me trust you for the results. Amen.
Further Exploration: Click to listen to Haddon Robinson and Alice Mathews talk about practical ways to help someone dealing with unemployment.
Author: Theology of Work Project
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Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
