Beauty in Responsibility

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, from the clan of Elimelech, a man of standing, whose name was Boaz. 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.’ ” (Ruth 2:1-2)
     Passage: 1 Timothy 5:3-8

When Naomi returned to her hometown of Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law, Ruth, she came back without husband or sons, who would have been responsible to care and provide for her needs. However, God had established in the Law a prision for those who were poor or aliens to allow them to have food and perhaps even earn a little income. Leviticus 19:9-10 told the Israelites who had farms to leave the edges of their fields up harvested and to not pick up gleanings that fell, so that the poor could come and work for their basic needs.

Ruth showed the beauty of her character in taking responsibility to care for Naomi. She told Naomi she would go to the fields and find someone who would let her gather whatever she could. Paul emphasized responsibility when he wrote that the first place for a believer to demonstrate his or her faith is by caring for parents and grandparents as they get older. A woman (or man) who takes responsibility at home, at work, at church and other areas shows the beauty of Christ in her life and is a good testimony of faith for Him.

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)