The Benefits Of Sacrifice

Introduction

In it is established that committing to brothers and sisters sometimes comes at a cost, but in we see that commitment and sacrifice also involves a reward. In chapter 1 Ruth abdicates or abandons her home in Moab and essentially puts her future in question. She chooses a path filled with questions and an unclear outcome. Her decision to cling to Naomi and depart from Moab makes her future uncertain. But in we now witness the way in which God rewards this kind of selfless sacrifice. When Ruth lost her husband, she lost a provider and protection. When Ruth left Moab, she lost security and stability. The Lord had taken some things from Ruth, but Ruth had willingly given up just as much. I like Ruth because as the younger party of every relationship in which she is mentioned in the Book of Ruth, Ruth sets an example of selflessness that is bar none. Ruth’s example is counter to the one that society sets. She does not feel entitled. She does not act spoiled. She does not expect to be catered to. Ruth’s main mission is to serve in an effort to relieve the burden of someone else.

Ruth’s example is an excellent example in the church, especially in a day and age where everyone in the church wants to be served but few want to serve. It is okay to have preferences, wishes, ambitions, desires, but those things should not overshadow the mission to serve others for the glory of God. We are accustomed to be being consumers that everything exactly to our liking before we are willing to invest our time, money, or talents. Ruth’s investment contradicts that feeling, in that she presumably gives up her life for the sake of someone else’s. I like the book of Ruth because it helps us to understand that generational gaps can be bridged through loving sacrifice. Ruth yields to elder Naomi, and Naomi’s Go. In return Ruth is rewarded by Yahweh. There is a generational gap in our churches that has become a great gulf because neither the elder nor the younger will yield to the interests of the other. In Chapter 1 we see an elder Naomi who selflessly considers what is in the best interest of the younger Orpah and Ruth. We also see a younger Naomi who acts in the best interest of the elder Naomi.

However, in chapter 2 we learn that when we act in the best interest of others, we are essentially acting in the best interest of ourselves. While gleaning in the fields to secure sustenance for both her and Naomi, Ruth begins to realize the benefits of sacrificial service. God begins to disperse his grace in response to Ruth’s sacrifice through this new character named Boaz. This scene outlines for us the way in which God rewards our sacrifice and what it means to our lives.

What

I. Faith Opens The Door To Favor (v. 8-11)

We first learn that faith opens the door to God’s favor. As Boaz is informed of Ruth and her reputation for service and sacrifice, he reciprocates the grace that has been afforded him. In verses 8-9 Boaz addresses Ruth and he provides Ruth with a a safe place to find food and water. Boaz addresses this alien Ruth in a way that is foreign to Ruth. He gets her attention by saying, “listen my daughter”. There are two schools of thought concerning the way in which Boaz could have used these words. The first school of thought is that Boaz addressed Ruth in this manner to show the difference in age between the two. It is assumed by many that Boaz was probably closer to Naomi’s age than Ruth’s age. The second reason for Boaz addressing Ruth in this manner was to show affection. This would have been a foreshadowing of the events that would transpire later. In either case, Boaz addressed this unknown Moabite woman with a tone of politeness that seemed foreign then, and seems foreign now. The fact that she was a Moabite in Bethlehem gleaning in a stranger’s field was enough to make her feel unsettled, but the warm way in which Boaz addressed Ruth is a foreshadowing of the favor that god would grant Ruth through this man. Boaz addressed Ruth in a way that would provide comfort to this young woman who was a stranger and an alien. We have Ruth’s in our midst who need to feel the warmth of Boaz. Not everyone who walks through the doors of our churches feel comfortable initially. It’s our job to receive them in a way that reflects the love of God. In this initial interaction it was apparent that God was favoring Ruth.

Ruth had gained access to God’s favor through faith, but specifically through works of faith. I must be clear in telling you that she had works of faith and not a faith of works. The difference is important. This Ruth had found faith through Naomi. She vowed to Naomi’s God in .Ruth had faith, but Ruth also had works. Ruth asked Boaz the question, “why have I found favor in your eyes , that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” From here we get some understanding as to how Ruth’s acts of service provided God with an avenue to bless her. In verse 11 Boaz helps her to understand:

Ruth 2:11 ESV

11 But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before.

It was the reputation of Ruth’s good works that caused the Lord’s favor to be poured out through Boaz. Ruth took a leap of faith that required her to serve her mother-in-law unselfishly. We learn from Ruth that an unselfish faith is a fruitful faith.

Matthew 6:33 ESV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

II. God’s Got You Covered (v. 12)

We learn that faith opens the door to God’s favor, but secondarily we learn that favor always provides. Any fear we have of surrendering our selfish interests should be eradicated after reading verse 12. Everything that Ruth lost or could have potentially lost in making the decision to give up her life in order to follow Naomi, was promised to her by Boaz. Again we see how God works through human networks to provide protection, preservation, and restoration for his people. There are some things that God only grants through being connected to other people. Orpah forfeited an opportunity to be blessed by God by choosing to stay in Moab. Ruth risked her future and her livelihood for the sake of someone else and God was making ready to restore to her everything that she had given up. As Boaz prays for Ruth he prays three things.

One, he prays that the Lord would repay her for all that shes done. Lord knows that there are times when it felt as though the more we tried to serve people, the more losses we took. Gave them your heart, and they crushed it. Gave them your trust, and they betrayed it. Gave them your time, and they wasted it. One of the hardest things about serving others is the reality that you will at some point be taken advantage of. That’s not just a notion, it’s the truth. Somehow it seems as thought the people with the least, give the most, and wind up with even less. Not that Naomi had taken advantage of Ruth, but in Ruth making the decision to leave Moab she lost a lot.

Two, he prays that God will give her a full reward. Rarely does one reap without sewing. There is often no reward without sacrifice. We miss out on some of God’s greatest blessings because we are either too selfish or too afraid to let go of what we have. Years ago a package was express mailed from England to South Africa. Upon it’s arrival the recipient was notified by the postal company that he had to pay a $20 tax in order to retrieve the package. The recipient refused to pay the tax and the package was held at the post office. Months went by and the recipient died. After his death the package was auctioned off where it was sold for $5. When the new owner of this package got home and opened the package he found $5,000 dollars. Beloved, sacrifice is the tax that you pay to redeem the blessing that God is holding.

Three, he prays for her protection under the wings of God.

It is one thing to give your life to serving God. It is an entirely different enterprise to give your life to serving God’s people. The prospect of being neglected or ignored is great when dealing with people. You can’t often count on people to consider your feelings in their equations. But the Lord calls for a kind of faith that is both committed in a service of love to him and to his people. Being put to the test, Jesus gave the great commandment of the law: “To love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. The second one is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Many are woefully afraid to sacrifice for the sake of someone else because the fear of losing themselves is real. This is a valid fear especially when you’re dealing with people. People have a tendency to be ungrateful and inconsiderate even when you go to great lengths to serve them. Folk eat free in the fellowship hall, yet have the nerve to complain about the quality of the food. If your service is only unto God then it is easy to believe that in your service you will be overlooked or neglected. But through our faith, God honors and rewards our sacrifice.

Many are woefully afraid to sacrifice for the sake of someone else for the sake of losing themselves. This is a valid fear especially when you’re dealing with people. People have a tendency to be ungrateful and inconsiderate even when you go to great lengths to serve them. Folk eat free in the fellowship hall, yet have the nerve to complain about the quality of the food. If your service is only unto God then it is easy to believe that in your service you will be overlooked or neglected. But through our faith, God honors and rewards our sacrifice.

Psalm 37:25 ESV

25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.

Proverbs 37:25

III. Purpose Comes Through Service (v. 13)

Through sacrifice, Ruth experiences God’s favor. She realizes that giving up herself does not mean that she will not have her needs met. She now sees that protection, provision, and restoration all come through sacrificing for others in service to God. Finally, Ruth experiences affirmation and comfort