1. MAKE SURE YOU ARE FOLLOWING THE RIGHT PERSON
Ruth the Moabitess asked Naomi, “Will you let me go into the fields and gather fallen grain behind someone with whom I find favor?” Ruth 2:2 CSB
Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Proverbs 13:20 NLT
A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 CSB
2. THE DILIGENT REAP THE HARVEST WHILE THE IDLE REAP SCARCITY
She asked, ‘Will you let me gather fallen grain among the bundles behind the harvesters? ’ She came and has been on her feet since early morning, except that she rested a little in the shelter.” Ruth 2:7 CSB
Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! Proverbs 14:23 NLT
Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring riches. The son who gathers during summer is prudent; the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful. Proverbs 10:4-5 CSB
The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT
3. DON’T CHASE AFTER FLEETING URGES
Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Don’t go and gather grain in another field, and don’t leave this one, but stay here close to my female servants. See which field they are harvesting, and follow them. Ruth 2:8-9 CSB
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. Proverbs 14:12 NLT
4. FAITHFULNESS MUST PRECEDE FRUITFULNESS
Boaz answered her, “Everything you have done for your mother-in-law since your husband’s death has been fully reported to me: how you left your father and mother and your native land, and how you came to a people you didn’t previously know. May the Lord reward you for what you have done, and may you receive a full reward from the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” Ruth 2:11-12 CSB
When she got up to gather grain, Boaz ordered his young men, “Let her even gather grain among the bundles, and don’t humiliate her. Pull out some stalks from the bundles for her and leave them for her to gather. Don’t rebuke her.” So Ruth gathered grain in the field until evening. She beat out what she had gathered, and it was about twenty-six quarts of barley. Ruth 2:15-17 CSB
YOUR CONSISTENCY DETERMINES YOUR CHARACTER AND YOUR CHARACTER DETERMINES YOUR DESTINY.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 NIV
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 NLT
5. SURRENDER IS THE PATHWAY TO REST
So she lay down at his feet until morning but got up while it was still dark. Then Boaz said, “Don’t let it be known that a woman came to the threshing floor.” And he told Ruth, “Bring the shawl you’re wearing and hold it out.” When she held it out, he shoveled six measures of barley into her shawl, and she went into the town. Ruth 3:14-15 CSB
Anyone trusting in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage. Proverbs 11:28 NLT
TRUE PEACE IS DISCOVERED WHEN CONSCIOUSLY RECOGNIZE OUR PROVIDER CONSISTENTLY
Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? Luke 12:24,27-28 NLT
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing. Psalms 34:10 NLT
Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father…James 1:17 NLT
6. WHEN WE TOTALLY SURRENDER TO GOD HE WILL TOTALLY FIGHT FOR OUR WELL-BEING!
She went to her mother-in-law, Naomi, who asked her, “What happened, my daughter?” Then Ruth told her everything the man had done for her. Naomi said, “My daughter, wait until you find out how things go, for he won’t rest unless he resolves this today.” Ruth 3:16;18 CSB
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. Romans 8:15-17 NLT
DO YOU WANT THE LEFTOVERS, THE BUNDLES, OR THE FIELD?
Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. James 1:6-8 NLT