Gleaning Generosity

November 2, 2023 | Daniel Shelton

I've always been intrigued with the story of Ruth. This Old Testament story is short enough to read in just a few minutes and contains several illustrations of trust, giving, and sacrificial living.

We're initially introduced to Naomi, who was financially destitute and socially desperate. Both her husband and sons had died, and she was left with nothing. While her daughters-in-law were equally lost without their husbands, they at least had family to return to. That's the exact advice that Naomi offered them, but one daughter-in-law, Ruth, refused to leave. In a selfless display of commitment, she pledged to stay with her mother-in-law, regardless of the circumstances.

Naomi and Ruth returned to Judah in search of a distant relative who might be able to help these two widows. This relative, Boaz, initially helped by keeping a command found in Leviticus 19. Those harvesting a field were to leave a portion of their grain field unharvested. This untouched crop was left for poor and foreign residents, as these two classes of society lacked land and a reliable method to feed themselves and their families. For Ruth and Naomi, this grain provided meals to sustain them.

Once Boaz knew of Ruth's plight, he increased his generosity and welcomed her deeper into his community. This display of generosity eventually led to the marriage of Boaz and Naomi, solidifying the life-changing impact Boaz's generosity had on those around him.

On pages 20 and 21 of the NEW LIFE Vision Guide, a Giving Journey is illustrated, outlining the path we can all take from being an initial giver all the way to an eternal giver. In the story of Ruth, we see several stages of giving on display.

Consistent Giver

Boaz kept the command to leave a portion of his crop for others. This habitual act of generosity was in keeping with the Levitical expectations, but there’s a chance this was simply a part of his routine. While many of us may be consistent givers, we should ask ourselves throughout this NEW LIFE journey, “Has my giving become routine?” While every act of generosity is pleasing to the Lord, are we challenging ourselves to a deeper level of generosity?

Priority Giver

Boaz took on that challenge and went deeper with Ruth and Naomi. He welcomed them into his life. Socially, this was not a good look for Boaz. Ruth, as a Moabite woman, would have likely diminished any societal or political image Boaz had attained. Regardless, Boaz grew into a priority giver by recognizing that all things were created by God, for God, through God, and to God. As he shared his life with these women in need, he elevated their worth and value as creations of God.

Surrendered Giver

I love the picture that we see in Ruth 1 when Ruth commits her whole life to Naomi.

Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me. Ruth 1:16b-17

Talk about surrendered! Ruth’s no-holds-barred commitment to her mother-in-law is inspiring. When was the last time we had that kind of abandon? Maybe we should be asking ourselves that not-so-rhetorical question. Really…think about that.

Sometimes our jobs, our activities, our families, or our hobbies can become idols to which we give total surrender. Through our NEW LIFE journey, I hope we’re asking if this level of surrender is modeled in our commitment to the Lord. As surrendered givers, we recognize that Christ surrendered his whole self for us. Therefore, we desire to surrender our whole selves to him in love.

Eternal Giver

As the initial character in the story, Naomi’s life displays attributes of an eternal giver. Through sharing her life with others (with Ruth and Boaz, in this case), she made an impact that would span throughout generations. Matthew 1 lists Boaz and Ruth in Jesus’ genealogy. While we may not always see the impact of our generosity, we do know that our behavior can have eternal impacts that we may never realize.

As we explore several examples of giving in the story of Ruth and Naomi, I’d encourage you to check out that Giving Journey on pages 20-21 of the guide. Our prayer is that God would help each of us to grow in our faith and generosity for the sake of Jesus and his mission. Where do you find yourself on this giving journey?

Daniel Shelton

Daniel grew up on the west side of Indianapolis. He graduated from Ozark Christian College and Lincoln Christian University. He joined Venture in June 2019. He is gifted with using systems and processes to help the church accomplish our mission. If a tool, resource, or process makes the church better and helps real people to encounter their living Savior, it’s worth waking up for! Daniel and his wife, Emily, love the theater and enjoy catching any local or traveling show. They have two daughters and like to spend time as a family camping in their popup camper, affectionately nicknamed “Peggy”.