YOUTH STS LESSON 186: RUTH’S PIETY AND INDUSTRY

MEMORY VERSE:

“And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter” (Ruth 2:2).

TEXT: Ruth 2:1-23

In this chapter, the Lord rewarded Ruth for her piety, virtue, and faithfulness. This chapter shows us how God was ready to divinely connect her into the great blessings that would affect the world for good. Immediately she arrived in Bethlehem, she asked for permission to work, which her mother-in-law promptly granted.

“And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house” (Ruth 2:7).

On the other hand, Boaz had a good relationship with his workmen. Though a rich man (verse 1), he was ready to relate with all workers and care for their welfare. At the end of the day’s work, Ruth went home with what she had gleaned. Hard work or industry will make you stand out in the midst of the crowd.

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men” (Proverbs 22:29).

RUTH’S DILIGENCE AT WORK

(Ruth 2:1-3,7; Psalm 104:23; Proverbs 6:6-11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Nehemiah 8:2-3; Romans 12:11)

Although Ruth was a stranger in Israel, she chose to work with her hands rather than wander aimlessly. Laziness kills ideas and initiatives. God commanded us to work:

“For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread” (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12).

Boaz, Naomi’s kinsman, a wealthy man, owned a field where corns were gleaned. In today’s language, this is called mechanised farming. It was on his farm that Ruth asked for permission to go and work (verse 7). She actually worked from morning till evening (verse 17).

Question 1:

As students, what is our primary work and how should we perform it?

“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:13).

As students, our primary work is to go to school and study. We are expected to be diligent and hardworking in our studies. The Scripture says:

“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11).

We should not hide under the guise of being spiritual and remain idle. The young people of Bible days were successful because they were diligent in their studies. Some of them include Daniel and his friends (Daniel 1:17-20), Moses (Acts 7:22), and Joseph (Genesis 39:21-23). Being diligent and hardworking in our studies means:

• Being regular in classes

• Copying complete notes in all subjects

• Paying attention and listening effectively

• Doing homework

• Reading and studying effectively to prepare adequately for examinations

Question 2:

What lessons can we learn from Ruth’s life?

“And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house” (Ruth 2:7).

Ruth manifested great and challenging attributes that are worthy of emulation:

1. Ability to plan ahead (verse 2)

2. Willingness to accept any available work (verse 2)

3. Submission and humility (verses 2-3)

4. Obedience to God (verses 8-10,14; 3:5)

5. Purity of life at work places (verses 9,23)

6. Diligence at work (verses 7,17)

7. Trust in God (verse 12)

8. Compassion and love (verse 11)

9. Foresight (verse 3)

10. Wisdom in all dealings

11. Good time management (verses 15,17)

12. Good conduct and morality (verses 9,22-23)

13. Devotion and faithfulness to God

14. Courage to face life challenges

15. Good communication with people (verse 19)

Like Ruth, the Lord expects us to possess all these attributes.

RELATIONSHIP OF BOAZ WITH HIS WORKMEN

(Ruth 2:4-17; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:22-25; 4:1)

Boaz, a wealthy man and relation of Elimelech, was an entrepreneur who owned a well-organised farm estate. Through his entrepreneurial ability, we can learn management principles useful for victorious youths with future prospects.

Question 3:

(a) Who is an entrepreneur?

(b) What lessons can we learn from Boaz’s entrepreneurial ability?

“And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee” (verse 4).

An entrepreneur is a person who sets up a business venture, taking financial risks with the hope of making profit. Entrepreneurship involves identifying a business opportunity, sourcing and organising resources, and taking both risks and rewards associated with the venture.

Boaz, as a CEO, had three levels of management structure:

1. Management Level (ML) – Boaz himself (verses 4-5)

2. Supervisory Level (SL) – Farm manager/appointed servant (verses 5-7)

3. Line Staff Level (LSL) – Reapers/workers (verses 4-6)

Boaz’s management qualities included:

• Good relationship with workers (verse 4)

• Accountability, strength, and procedures to track farm activities (verses 5,8)

• Clear communication and instructions (verses 8-9)

• Motivating workers for greater productivity (verse 12)

• Providing welfare packages (verses 13-14)

• Setting high productivity standards (verses 15-16)

• Time management for work and rest (verses 7,14,17)

• Research knowledge to know surroundings (verses 5,11)

• Purity and integrity in the workplace (verse 9)

• Proper planning and division of labour (verses 4-5)

• Delegation of authority (verses 6-7)

• Faith in God (verse 12)

• Prudence and knowledge-based administration (verses 9-10)

• Humility and faithfulness (verse 13)

Youths intending to be entrepreneurs should learn these management principles. Scripture confirms:

“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11).

The supervisory level was managed by Boaz’s appointed servant, vigilant, watchful, accountable, and confidential with information (verses 5-7). The reapers (workers) were respectful, loyal, obedient, hardworking, and dedicated.

“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh… With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men…” (Ephesians 6:5-8).

REWARDS FOR HARD WORK

(Ruth 2:18-23; Proverbs 22:29; 31:10-31)

“And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth and gave to her what she had reserved after she was sufficed” (verse 18).

Ruth was a hardworking young woman. She gleaned enough for her mother-in-law and herself and was rewarded by Boaz to continue until the end of the barley harvest (verse 23).

When she returned from the farm, she sincerely informed Naomi where she had worked:

“And her mother-in-law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned today? And where wroughtest thou? Blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s name with whom I wrought today is Boaz” (verse 19).

Sincerity and honesty are essential in all dealings.

Question 4:

What was Naomi’s response to Ruth’s sincerity?

“And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen” (verse 20).

Naomi praised God for preserving a helper for them and encouraged Ruth to go out with Boaz’s maidens to work. Ruth obeyed without hesitation (verse 23).

Lessons learned:

1. Be diligent in studies and work

2. Be creative, organised, and strategic

3. Maintain good relationships with others

4. Be sincere in all you do

5. Encourage and appreciate others

6. Live for the glory of God

7. Be a source of blessing to others