The Scripture states in Ruth 4:9-12, "Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion, and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon's widow, as my wife, to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from the town records. Today you are witnesses.

Then the elders and all those at the gate said, we are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. Through the offspring, the Lord gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah."

The nearest kinsman-redeemer scuttles off, frightened away by the personal costs of restoring Naomi and Ruth to their property and social standing. In contrast, Boaz doesn't hesitate to purchase Naomi's land or to marry Ruth. His sacrificial and generous actions foreshadow Jesus' example as our Redeemer, the One who fully pays the cost for our sins, adopts us into his family, and bestows on us eternal security.

Are we thankful enough for God's generous provision in Christ that we are willing to sacrificially and generously give for the redemption of others who are in spiritual, physical, and financial need, even at great cost to ourselves? Very few people or even members of the Church are ready to follow such rich examples of sacrificial generosity in divesting themselves of their rights, their respectability, and their earthly wealth, riches, or possessions to live out the command to love others as themselves.

Ruth is a compelling story of God's extraordinary provision for those who trust him, whether rich or poor. In her poverty, she was not disappointed when she fully trusted the Lord for provision and security, and Boaz in his wealth was blessed through extraordinary generosity and divestment of his material possessions for the sake of others. Ruth's trust and Boaz's generosity are tremendous examples to us today because they illustrate how God's commands regarding generosity are not cold requirements; rather, they are in place to drive us to cheerful generosity in living and giving as we trust in the Lord as our Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Provider while seeking to be a blessing in meeting the needs of others.

God is continually placing persons in our path for us to refine our characters. We should be asking for eyes of discernment to be able to see the many genuine opportunities that will require our response. Let us give to the One who emptied heaven to allow each of us to spend eternity with Him. My prayer is that we will each look for those in need and allow God to use us to be His hands, feet, eyes, and pockets that we can bless as He blesses us every day.

Anthony Burrows, South Bahamas Conference Stewardship Director