Sustaining Relationships

The story of Naomi and Ruth is painted on the backdrop of loss. It was tragedy that brought these two women into relationship together.

Shared experiences have a tendency to create camaraderie.

A good person may seek to isolate themselves from those who they need because they themselves feel they cannot benefit them.

Orpah heeding Naomi’s directions to return home is the natural human response to a one-sided situation.

Empathy can lead people to have a heart for those who can seemingly do nothing for us in return. Ruth clings to Naomi knowing that Naomi has nothing to offer.

No one is useless.

For Ruth to stick with Naomi was to give up her home, her people, and her god. She becomes a believer in Yahweh through her connection to Naomi.

It hurt Ruth for Naomi to ask her to leave her.

Believers should find themselves in some relationships where there is nothing in it for them. There is nothing in this for Ruth, yet she changes religions in order to be a blessing to Naomi.

Faithfulness to those who need you can land you in favored positions with people you do not even know. Ruth finds favor in the eyes of a powerful man simply because of her connection to Naomi.

Faithfulness and work got Naomi in Boaz’s presence. Naomi put

Do not diminish Naomi’s value because she cannot serve you the way you serve her. Naomi provides wisdom that will sustain Ruth for the rest of her life.

Obedience to

Naomi, give what you have.

People you sustain can benefit

Ruth does not find her husband through her work, her husband finds her while she’s working as a part of her faithfulness to a relationship with an elderly woman who needed her.

God keeps giving givers something to give.