GIVE THANKS. Ruth 2:18-23 The importance of expressing gratitude for all the blessings we receive should never be overlooked. When we receive an unexpected gift or more than we anticipated, we often become suspicious of the reason behind it. It seems like we suspect the giver has some expectations beyond what is normal. So, instead of feeling thankful, we wonder if there is some obligation connected to the gift. We have become used to greed, which is easier to fall into than gratitude.
It is easier to ask for help than to accept that someone wanted to give a gift without strings attached and without being asked. We are slow to show genuine gratitude to others because we think in terms of giving to get favors in return. Pride shows itself when we feel deserving of receiving generosity and show ingratitude for what has cost someone a lot, who may have just wanted to express appreciation.
Furthermore, we might feel embarrassed by others' generosity when we realize we have been taking and expecting to receive instead of finding ways to give joyfully. "God loveth the cheerful giver." We may honestly feel unworthy of blessings received from others, and their generosity can convict us of our lack of giving simply because we are grateful to God for what He has allowed us to have. Some people see generous gifts almost as a form of money or payment, believing the value of the gift reflects its worth. Expensive gifts are seen as more worthy, while cheaper gifts are undervalued. When that happens, we focus on the gift instead of the giver.
When Ruth returned home after gleaning all day in Boaz's field, she had "about an ephah of barley." That would be roughly thirty pounds of grain, which was usually an unheard-of amount for a gleaner to gather. It was clear to Naomi that something special had happened, and she believed that God was working behind the scenes for them. The large pile of grain Ruth brought back after her work was proof of Boaz's generosity, and both she and Naomi were thankful for the provision he had secured for them. Naomi was likely surprised and grateful for the amount of grain and the cooked food Ruth had left over from her lunch. She had worked all afternoon, was probably hungry, but was mindful of her mother-in-law’s needs and brought the food to her. No one else knew she had kept the leftovers to share with Naomi.
Being thankful has a lasting appeal to those who know what we have done for them but don't promote it for others to see and think well of us. We have the weak, the aged, the disabled, and the lonely who need our help and will appreciate both small and large gestures. These individuals need our time, empathy, encouragement, talents, and financial support. We show our gratitude to God through practical living by faith, which allows us to unselfishly meet others' needs. Naomi was quick to express her gratitude to the Lord and her benefactor.
The reasons behind Boaz’s generosity may not be fully known, but as Naomi expressed, we should "in everything give thanks." Joyful gratitude greatly influences the giver, and something remains unforgettable when an act of kindness is sincerely appreciated. Naomi believed Boaz's kindness deserved a reward from God and expressed her gratitude with a sincere heart.
Ordinary people of faith see God's hand at work in daily moments. Prayer is a way to express gratitude for others by bringing their names before the Lord for His attention and praise. A prayer of commendation is a way to show thankfulness both to God and to the person whose name we mention to Him.
Boaz was known to Naomi as a close kinsman-redeemer who understood his duty to preserve a family and property. Ruth probably didn't know all the details that Naomi was aware of, such as that Ruth's husband, Mahlon, who had died, was the legal heir to Elimelech's field and that a deceased man's wife was part of that inheritance. Ruth was no longer considered an outsider and was regarded as someone who was guaranteed grain until the end of the barley and wheat harvest. The food shortage was no longer an issue because Boaz protected Ruth from harm, verbal abuse, ridicule, and innuendo from the young men because she was a stranger. That chapter is now over.
It should be natural for us, as those whom the Lord has blessed through the efforts of others, to show our gratitude for the opportunity of steady work, gifts that represent friendship, and the kindness shown. We offer words of thanks to God, through whom "all blessings flow." We "count our blessings" and praise God for His goodness to us. It is only right for us to pray prayers of thanksgiving for those who have helped us so that we may enjoy what we have and, in turn, show our gratitude by remaining faithful.