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Ruth and Our View of the Poor

Mart De Haan Posted by Mart De Haan
February 17th, 2009
27 Comments » 

In the studio today, our Discover the Word conversations focused on the laws of Moses that required land owners to leave some of their harvest for the poor and the stranger (Lev 19:9-10; Deut 24:19-22). Those laws help to explain why Ruth, a Moabite woman was allowed to gather stalks of barley left by harvesters in the field of Boaz (Ruth 2:2-23) .

Since Boaz went beyond the law in his generosity toward Ruth, as she scavenged in his fields, we talked at some length about how we regard the poor around us.

Today’s conversations leave me wondering how much my view and responses to “the poor” reflect a reaction to what I regard as the errors or excesses of the political right or left, rather than the words and heart of God.

Note: Picture is of  Discover the Word teachers Haddon Robinson and Alice Mathews. The conversations I refer to above are being recorded for future release.


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27 Responses to “Ruth and Our View of the Poor”

  1. Laurielee says:
    February 17, 2009 at 10:51 pm

    How God blesses the generous! In all the stories I read in the Bible, I’m struck by the fact that we are not told to judge those who need to be fed, clothed, or shown mercy. It seems that you’ll never be wrong in Jesus’ eyes for being generous, but you’ll rarely be right by being stingy, legalistic, and judgmental.

  2. Laurielee says:
    February 17, 2009 at 10:56 pm

    Sorry to post again so soon, but it’s amazing that this subject was posted right after I was talking with someone about this very story about Boaz. In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he says; “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.”

  3. BruceC says:
    February 17, 2009 at 11:22 pm

    I agree that those who have plenty and hold back in helping those less fortunate are simply selfish and greedy. However I do not feel it’s the government’s job to take money from one and give it to another simply because they are wealthier. I am not against welfare; but the cost should be spread evenly amongst the taxpayers and wealthy people should not be singled out to pay more. That is a killer for the incentive to succeed.
    While a Deputy Sheriff I was attached to a Welfare Fraud Unit for a while and I can attest to the amount of fraud and waste going on and the reluctance of those in positions of authority to take a hard stance against. After all ; should the public really know what was going on there would be an outrage. My wife and I have an elderly friend that barely gets by on a small pension and some food stamps; yet she is one of the most generous Christian women I have ever met and runs a local food pantry for mainly the working poor. When I think of the extra help she could get were it not for the fraud going on and the able-bodied people who are just too lazy to work I am deeply angered. I saw many folks that needed the helping hand; and sadly, there were many who would take all they could get and scam the system. There is much they could do such as pick up litter, shovel sidewalks of snow for the elderly, etc., etc. But we have people in elected offices who feed their political power by promising to “take care of” these “voters”. Beleive me I have seen the system from the inside and it stinks. Worst of all it robs people of their dignity, kills the incentive to work, becomes generational, and is wide open for fraud. The Bible says that a man who will not work(not a person who can’t) will not eat. A little tough love in this area would be a big help.

  4. BruceC says:
    February 17, 2009 at 11:24 pm

    I forgot to mention that NOT having a system in place to help people in need would be an even bigger disgrace than the mess we presently have.

  5. jam200 says:
    February 18, 2009 at 5:05 am

    What’s interesting is that at both ends of the system, poor and rich, people commit fraud. Today’s lesson focuses on our heart. Is the liberal response or the conservative response the right answer. Well, neither is correct, the right answer is the Jesus response. “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

  6. Ted M. Gossard says:
    February 18, 2009 at 5:11 am

    Yes. Good point. We need to keep learning more and more to think Biblically or in accord with God’s revealed will, especially with reference to the kingdom in Jesus. Not “left” or “right”. I think we Christians are all too prone to select one of the two as “right”, and critique what is happening from that. When each needs a critique according to God’s revealed will in Jesus.

  7. narrowminded says:
    February 18, 2009 at 6:36 am

    Liberalism and conservatism are philosophies that people choose to live under in this world, Disregarding them as both being extreme would be todays “right”, moderatism,
    Liberalism is a religion.
    It has a sacrament, abortion.
    It has a God, the earth.
    It has a law, political correctness.
    It judges everyone and pits one class against another.(sound familiar)
    Like all religions liberalism enslaves people.
    Like all religions it seeks to usurp Gods role in peoples lives for the sole purpose of gaining power over them.
    Liberals believe they can make the world a better place, as do all religions, thru the sacrifice of personal liberty.
    Liberals believe they and only they know how another should live their life, eat this, don’t eat that. Live here don’t live there, do this don’t do that, believe this reject that. This is right,that is wrong.
    I’m not judging people for being liberal, just stating the truth as I see it.

    Conservatism believes in preserving and protecting the rights of the individual.
    It is grounded in Liberty.
    A conservative does not seek to have power over another.

    Have to go to work now.
    Carry on

  8. mswings4him says:
    February 18, 2009 at 9:40 am

    My thoughts on this are based on what the Bible teaches us: Love one another as yourself.In this story you notice family taking care of family..no where is there a welfare system in Scripture. In the New Testament it is referred to as the church taking care of the people, seven men were assinged to help distribute the funds and foods to the widows, the old and the needy. We need to follow this and get our churchs back into the business of helping the people, not helping themselves…no where does it tell us to build buildings to glorify God, (reminds me of the tower of babel) it tells us our body is the temple of God and in serving others we serve Him.

  9. poohpity says:
    February 18, 2009 at 10:16 am

    It seems like there are those few that abuse the system whether they are poor or rich. It seems that our current economic problems are not from the poor who have abused the system but by those that wanted to make a million no matter who it affects. It would seem it is from the rich who want to get richer.

    The bible does not say, “God helps those who help themselves”, to me it says God helps those in need. That is not only for the poor but for the rich as well.

    Jesus said there will always be the poor among us. The laws given to Moses always looked out for the needy. I believe it has always been the churches job to care for any in need. Our government enacted a system to compensated where our body blew it.

    I worked for the state being an eligibility worker and have myself received welfare. If you have never experienced being on the system and how hard it is to get off of it then I do not believe anyone has any room to talk.

    The story of what Boaz did following the laws about gleaning shows how when we do what God asks us to do how beautiful it turns out.

  10. sjd says:
    February 18, 2009 at 10:35 am

    Just a quick thought.
    I am disturbed by the lack of reaching out that the church in general makes toward the poor.(Thankfully, there are many exceptions to this) It is difficult to see that those of us who have received “everything” in Christ, when we had nothing to give, seem to want to withhold from others because we do not receive back from them. I know that is a sweeping statement, but in talking to many, believe that it is quite true, along with the fact that some just are at a loss of what to do and how to do it. I guess I am not talking so much about giving money, but as in personal involvement, being willing to touch them.
    That is where I find coming back to Jesus and understanding who He is and what He has done and is capable of doing in and through me, brings me to the position He can use this broken pot, to touch lives unconditionally. It is not me, it is Christ alone.

  11. bdbuie says:
    February 18, 2009 at 10:46 am

    What are your thoughts of these quotes from St. Augustine?

    God does not demand much of you. He asks back what he gave you, and from him you take what is enough for you. The superfluities of the rich are the necessities of the poor. When you possess superfluities, you possess what belongs to others. (Exposition on Psalm 147, 12).

    Christ who is rich in heaven chose to be hungry in the poor. Yet in your humanity you hesitate to give to your fellow human being. Don’t you realize that what you give, you give to Christ, from whom you received whatever you have to give in the first place. (Commentary on Psalm 75,9)

    Go on making use of your special, expensive foods, because you have got into the habit of them, because if you change your habits you get sick. Go on making use of your superfluities, but give the poor their necessities. He looks to you, you look to God. He looks to a hand that was made as he was, you look to a hand that made you. But it didn’t only make you, it also made the poor man with you. He gave you both this life as a single road to travel along. You have found yourselves companions, walking along the same road; he’s carrying nothing, you have an excessive load. He’s carrying nothing with him, you are carrying more than you need. You are overloaded; give him some of what you’ve got. At a stroke, you feed him and lessen your load. So give to the poor; I’m begging you, I’m warning you, I’m commanding you, I’m ordering you. Give to the poor whatever you like. (Sermon 389,5-6)

    Do you think it’s a small matter that you are eating someone else’s food? Listen to the apostle: We brought nothing into this world. You have come into the world, you have found a full table spread for you. But the Lord’s is the earth and its fullness. God bestows the world on the poor, he bestows it on the rich. (Sermon 29, 2)

    Augustine was of the opinion that when someone has been blessed with much it is so they could be a blessing to others. Humbling thoughts, no?

  12. SFDBWV says:
    February 18, 2009 at 11:00 am

    I spent a great deal of time this morning writing up a comment only to see it disapear into cyberspace…Oh well I will try again.

    The culture we live in today is very different from that of Naomi and Ruth’s time. There were people who simply could not work and so begged. I would suppose many of them had family that couldn’t help them either. I also suppose there were beggers who used the sympathy of others too. Just as today.

    But Naomi and Ruth’s situation was that they had fell on hard times and needed temporary help. There was a system in the law that returned property to Naomi and allowed for them to work for their food(gleaning). This was not a welfare system.

    I too fell on hard times, 10 years ago. Though I had worked my entire life, sometimes had 2 or even 3 jobs. When suddenly my family needed me to not work but stay home and take care of them. All life changed for me during this period.

    My working wife now was unable to work as she slowly died of cancer and my son was in need of constant care. I did not consider welfare as an alternative. I owned my own home and had automobiles. The government welfare system would have had me sell everything I own first and be destitute before they would have even considered helping us.

    No, the people of my community the churches in my area, total strangers and old family friends came to our aid. They took up donations, held fundraisers, gave from what little they had to help us over the hump.

    It is a very humbling position to find yourself. Both to need help and to recieve it.

    God came to Naomi and Ruth’s rescue and God came to my rescue. And God will come to your rescue, whoever you are where ever you are at. He will use people, angels, and all of His mighty ability to achieve His will for you and through you.

    He did it for Naomi, Ruth, Boaz’s need and he will for your’s. All through His Son Jesus. For His purposes, His glory, and your needs.

  13. Laurielee says:
    February 18, 2009 at 11:09 am

    This subject has really been been on my mind recently, so please forgive me for my multiple posts. What is the most important thing in our lives? What if Jesus were talking to each of us, just like the story of the rich young man? What if He said, “Laurie, I know you try to do everything you think you should, but what I’d really like you to do is give away everything that you’ve worked for all these years…your house, your retirement fund, money from investments, even your spare clothes…to the poor, and walk the country teaching others about Me. Don’t take anything with you, not even an extra pair of shoes. Stay and eat with whoever will have you.” I have to wonder how many of us could do that, AND how many we’d still have in the ministry. Do we build bigger barns to hold our stuff for tomorrow? How do we know we HAVE a tomorrow? How many of the buildings and programs we have are for Jesus alone? How many are to fill up the pews and the coffers? Do we have to look at numbers in order to cover the budgets we’ve set up? I once went to a church that refused to send out a bus for children, and the person in charge, when I asked if we could do it, told me that if we sent out a bus, only the children would come…not the parents who tithe. Thank God for the bus that came to get me when I was a child! Many years ago, the churches were filled with the poor. Nowadays, we have ‘country club’ churches that don’t actively encourage the poor to come…or if they come, many leave, because they can’t afford to participate in this or that program. They can’t buy the book, afford the trip, or the ‘proper’ clothing they’re expected to wear. Money does not bestow respectability, nor lack of money take it away. I, too, have been dirt poor…the child of poor, European immigrants. I’ve been comfortable…if I felt a need of something, I could run out and buy it, or fix it, if it broke. Right now, I guess you could say I struggle, because I work and go to school. But I’m fine. God loves me. He supplies all my needs. The odd part of loving God is that with Him, I find I have fewer ‘needs’, and am content. If I see someone without, I’m going to help. I’m not going to ask for qualifications, how hard they work, whether they’re a Christian or not, or try to judge how worthy they are of my help. It is my understanding that all we are blessed with belongs to God, and we are only stewards of it. If I see someone who needs help, do I tighten my grip on my “stuff” and say, “You can’t have it. It’s mine, I’ve worked hard for it.” No, the government shouldn’t have to force us to do what we should be doing willingly.

  14. SFDBWV says:
    February 18, 2009 at 11:36 am

    laurielee, You have touch upon a subject I too have pondered in my walk. Many people step ahead of God and do foolish things thinking they are doing God’s will. The result is usualy disaterous.

    Unless God tells someone to sell all they have and give it to someone else. It would be a very foolish action of one to do so. God calls all of us to do what He wants of us. Some people go into the ministry with out a calling. Others think that missionary work is what they want to do. But it is God who will enable the person for His work and call that person to it. Not the other way around.

    Unless some of us are farmers, there are no barns full to share with the needy. Some of us have to be the multitude while living the simple life and do what God requires of us.

  15. poohpity says:
    February 18, 2009 at 12:13 pm

    Wow Laurielee you have spoken my heart and for many who follow the Lord. Beautifully put!!!:)

  16. mtman says:
    February 18, 2009 at 12:20 pm

    Laurielee has it right. What a wonderful post. Thank you….

  17. gr8grannyjacobs says:
    February 18, 2009 at 1:11 pm

    Isn’t it where your heart is that matters? God could see the rich mans heart and knew he was not true in his search for truth. He saw what Jesus had from a distance and thought he wanted to be a part but Jesus knew his true motivation. The same with all of us whatever we put above our Lord He will ask us to give it up and follow Him. It is not always wealth that He asks us to give up as many who have followed never had the wealth but we all have something. The true church those who know our Lord does help the poor as God enables them. It has been my experience the more I give the more God gives me to give. Please don’t confuse that statement with prosperity preaching as that isn’t what I mean. Its once I made a commitment in my heart to honor God in tithes and offerings no matter what was happening in my life He in turn has given me wisdom to handle my finances better and though my income is not great I am always able to give cheerfully.This was not a over night event it has been a journey and has truly opened my eyes to the statement “Trust the Lord with all of your heart”. In that trust He enables us to help the poor and to have joy in the helping.

  18. daisymarygoldr says:
    February 18, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    Although not on a daily basis but whenever I get time, I also enjoy listening to Discover the Word. Will be eagerly waiting to listen to your conversations on Ruth…All of my growing years I have imbibed every precept, every line in the Book of Ruth. In a literal sense there is not much I can relate to, since I am not a poor widow and though my M-I-L and I share a very close relationship, she is not a Naomi. However, in the spiritual sense, the story of Ruth literally flows in my veins…Sorry gr8grannyjacobs, if this turns out into another long sermon:) It is a treat for me to read all the comments by you and others and I’m looking forward to more thoughts on this…

    Don’t know anything about “the political right or left” but the Bible says that when I give to the poor, my left hand should not know what the right hand is doing. The moment I take credit for giving to the homeless beggar on the street my good deed turns into a filthy rag. And then even if I gave away everything I had God will not recognize me for my charitable deeds. Back home, it was a joy to see the church taking care of the poor. Whether it was health, hospitality, education, caring for orphans or widows… while others made a big show, Christians silently ministered to the needs of the poor. I am also aware and appreciate the church over here for doing the same. rdrcomp and gr8grannyjacobs, my thoughts resound with yours…

    God wants us to give in secret such that the poor who are receiving should not feel burdened with our giving. Boaz did exactly that… in asking his men to deliberately pull out more stalks from the bundles and leave them for Ruth. She knew she had found favor in the eyes of Boaz… and could have easily taken advantage of it by asking him to send her and Naomi truck loads of grain. Ruth did not do any such thing and neither did she beg… but worked hard the whole day to glean among the sheaves. “Boaz went beyond the Law in his generosity towards Ruth.”-MDH. Jesus Christ went beyond the Law to pour out His immeasurable love, mercy and grace on a poor and destitute sinner like me. In following his example I am also called to give…A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over! No there yet, but I am trying…

  19. gr8grannyjacobs says:
    February 18, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    The poor for me are seen through two lenses rich and poor. One lens sees those that are literally without shelter food and clothing. The other lens sees the wealthy they don’t appear to be in need. When I put both lens together anyone who does not know our Lord is hungry thirsty and homeless. So when helping the poor for me it as much includes helping those who can spread the gospel such as ministries as it does in meeting daily survival needs. If we give with a true heart God will use our giving for the poor. Just a thouught.

    daisy you are precious! Good Sermon:)

  20. sitsathisfeet says:
    February 18, 2009 at 3:01 pm

    Happens that we were talking about giving yesterday as part of our study 2 Corinthians 8:2,3,7 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their own ability. But, just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us – see that you also excel in the grace of giving. V9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. The whole chapter is about giving, for the physical needs specifically, as well as spiritual needs, and our desire and attitude to giving. We all came away with we were going to pray about our tithing, and other giving the Lord wants us to do. One heart at a time. Now our little church already has a homeless ministry and outreach, and a Boots On the Ground where members go and do anything required at people’s homes building, repairing, hauling, etc. (an outreach for mainly non-members) although the body will help members as well. Not tooting our horn. But, God’s grace will abound in the most modest circumstances if we are willing vessels.

  21. wretch-like-me says:
    February 18, 2009 at 4:33 pm

    Lauralee:
    “I once went to a church that refused to send out a bus for children, and the person in charge, when I asked if we could do it, told me that if we sent out a bus, only the children would come…not the parents who tithe.”
    How sad!!! (and stupid)…”

    I serve in a fellowship that goes out of its way to minister to children in our community. Here’s what we have learned.
    1. Children are most likely to respond to the Gospel.
    2. Children are developing core-beliefs, today.
    3. Children are living proof the Gospel is real.
    4. Children are quickly becoming parents and need God.
    5. Children are the work-force in tomorrow’s church.
    6. Children are tomorrow’s church leaders.
    7. Children are tomorrow’s tithers.
    8. Children are one of the best ways to reach parents.
    9. Jesus loved the little children.

    From a purely secular perspective, providing programs for children (aka..ministering) keeps them out of trouble while teaching them the way they should live and grow into valuable, contributing citizens (aka…christians). That means less crime, less property loss, lower insurance premiums, less law enforcement, less judicial cost, less incarceration cost, less ‘rehabilitation’ cost, fewer re offenders, and the bottom line, less taxes.

    That only speaks to the ‘less’ aspect…consider the ‘more’…more responsible workers, businesses, more stable economy, more productive society and a higher GNP! (a return to the ‘christian’ principles that this country was founded upon!!)

    I learned a long time ago that children are either a burden or a blessing depending on OUR ATTITUDE. Investing time, energy, and money in them now may seem like a huge price tag…however, if we choose not to invest now, we WILL PAY MUCH MORE FOR THAT DECISION LATER. (like that time-worn oil filter commercial)

    Final thought:When I consider that christians are the ‘children of God’ and our duty is to treat others as we would be treated, what other choice do we have? From history we should learn that the more we expect Govt to do, not only will it cost us more in taxes; it will cost more in personal freedoms, as well.
    “Give me liberty(freedom) or give me death!”

  22. josiephil says:
    February 18, 2009 at 7:36 pm

    I have friends who are missionaries/pastors in the far south of the Philippines. They have really a heart for the poor. Most of the time, they will go to the tribal areas in the mountain by foot. They risk their lives to reach out for the poor by giving them healing & salvation in JESUS NAME. Yesterday, they just arrived from a tribal mission which was very risky & difficult. They distributed the divided clothes & blankets we have sent last December. They feed out 31 families of their Operation Rice. People are starved because of no food. Even their sustenance camote or sweet potato, cassava & banana are very very scarce. They give them rice, dried fish & coffee to drink. The children were given kisses choco, cloud 9 & big bang candies. The tribes were overjoyed by receiving all these things.

    We christians have many ways to help the poor. Not only by praying for them but by sharing what we have (old clothes & blankets) our money & resources. I have a high respect for the missionaries all over the world. They give & risk their lives for the poor. May we have a heart to support them financially. Even in our own little way. Even though we are not with them physically, we will be a part of every mission that GOD will send them to be.

    Thanks for this blog, & for every comments you have posted. Everyone was appreciated…

  23. josiephil says:
    February 18, 2009 at 7:41 pm

    Many thanks of course, to sir Mart…

  24. SFDBWV says:
    February 18, 2009 at 7:58 pm

    Just had some thoughts as I was reading over the comments.

    I know people who ain’t got much but are richer than many. I know some who think they are rich and yet are the poorest excuses for human beings I know.

    I think maybe poor is a state of mind. as well as a state behavior.

    “The foxes have their holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not to lay his head.”
    Matthew 8:20

  25. rokdude5 says:
    February 19, 2009 at 12:20 am

    One thing that always think about is what is written in Deuteronomy 15:11
    “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.”

    Make note the word “always” which means no matter how much efforts we put into social programs whether it be church or government, there will always be those who are poor. Of course, I ask myself why would God make sure there are those who are impoverish?

    One time as I was filling up gas at a station, someone with a rag in hand asked if he can wash my window for any token amount. I gave him a buck and told him, “I dont need my windows wash, but the next time you see an invalid and/or elderly person, please wash their windows for me.” Hopefully, he kept his promise to do so. 1 John 3:17

  26. drkennyg says:
    February 19, 2009 at 3:02 am

    Wow a lot of comments from many angles f approach. I like how gr8grannyjacobs thinks. These days in all the confusion and crisis conditions many are feeling anger toward those who will be helped while they think themselves deserving of help but not getting any; too much resentment building up. In the end we may just pull it all off as a nation for this time while in our future lies still another one probably within the usual 20 yrs or so. Basic human sinful nature is the root of most of the problems and that is where Christ comes in via the ministries of the family of believers known as the church. Be generous and forgiving and slow to anger or prejudice. I have happily discovered much truth in the provisions of the Lord in my life lately. If I truly put myself in a Christ-like attitude, God does not hesitate to meet my needs when I am willing and able to help others. Those needs are His determination not mine. We don’t get to tow a U-Haul with us to the grave do we? God wants us to use our strengths for the good of others whatever our talents are.

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