Chapter One of the Book of Ruth saw the testimony of Naomi and her bitterness at the circumstances of her life. God’s providence had been of no comfort to her. When Boaz enters the picture at the time of the Barley harvest, the mood shifts. Naomi is able to see more of the goodness of God. She is able to find hope again in her circumstances. What was it about the words and actions of Boaz that made the difference?
If we wrote a book based on his actions, we might call it “The Art of Personal Management.” What would Boaz teach us?
1. 1. Develop a culture of blessing with words. The opening words of Boaz to his workers “The Lord bless you” and their equivalent response was more than formality. It expresses their mutual respect and care for each other.
2. 2. Show interest and concern for those under your care. When Boaz inquires after the stranger in his field, the foreman offers more detail because he knows Boaz will have listening ears. Nabal, at the time of sheep-shearing, was never this approachable or this interested in the welfare of others. Ruth and her plight have caught the interest of the foreman and he shares that information with Boaz because he knows that Boaz will do something.
3. 3. Be generous in ways that honor the image of God in man. Gleaning provides work and profit for the poor. Boaz respects the need for work. But, he tells his men to drop stalks of grain along the way on purpose. Ruth’s work will now be exceptionally profitable. Her hard work from morning until dusk will be rewarded with his generosity.
4. 4. Assign roles and tasks to those in your employ that are meaningful and will help to get the work done in a timely manner. Boaz must organize the harvest to get done in time for the wheat harvest. He has young men for harvesting and bringing water for the workers. He also has young women in the fields gathering grain. He also has a foreman, managing the affairs of the harvest in the field. Everyone works with skill toward one end.
5. 5. Allow those under your care to be generous and honoring as well. The young men can now be as generous as they choose to be toward Ruth. We can imagine that some drop more and some drop less. The workers are actively involved in the generosity of Boaz.
6. 6. Touch the lives of others in such a way that when they leave your presence, they bless your name (and praise God). The abundant fruit from gleaning and the countenance of Ruth are enough to change the bitterness of Naomi. The actions of Boaz lift the chin of Naomi so that she can see the blessing of God as well.
7. 7. For Boaz, His vocation and his faith were wed. We are not meant to compartmentalize our faith. All of our lives are lived before God’s face. We give account for our worship. We give account for our work lives. God is to be glorified in every area of our lives. In doing so, in both subtle and obvious ways, we mirror God’s glory.
