Sharing and Receiving

“And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest. And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field. So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.” Ruth 2:21-23

Ruth’s beautiful character is revealed as she returns from her first day of gleaning in the barley fields. Boaz had used her well. She had been welcomed in his field and he had not only let her glean but had also given her extra grain to take home to Naomi. She presented her mother-in-law with an ephah of barley which would have been about twenty litres, enough to feed them both for ten days. She also had saved part of her lunch to share with Naomi.

When the Lord showers His blessings on us, we must not keep them to ourselves, but share. We cannot outgive the Lord, the more we give, the more He will bless.

When Naomi saw what Ruth had accomplished, she did not praise her for her hard work. Instead, she asked a question, “Where hast thou gleaned today?” Ruth was quick to share the name of the man who owned the field she had been in.

Have there been times in your life when people have recognized something different about you? When we have been in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, the joy of the Lord illuminates our faces and causes others to notice. When they question us, are we quick to let them know that we have been with Jesus? We have been blessed so much and we should willingly share the message with others.

Ruth did not allow the generosity of Boaz to take away from her responsibilities. She gladly shared with Naomi the fact that Boaz had told her to return each day so that she would be able to provide the food they needed. She had respect for Naomi and listened to the advice she gave.

The wheat harvest would follow the barley harvest, which would end at the Feast of Firstfruits. Ruth would be in the harvest field for six or seven weeks. It would not be easy work, but she had found her place, and God blessed her abundantly.

Luke 10:2 “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.”

Each of us has a place in the harvest field. Wherever God has planted us, we will be faithful, sharing the love of Jesus with others.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;”

Prayer: Thank you, Heavenly Father, for all the blessings you bestow upon us each day. Help us to be faithful in all we do, and to share your love with others.

Devotion by Anne Johnston