Read the Word:
Ruth 2:1-9
Meditate on the Word:
Part of the way that God directed His people to care for the poor in the Law was that they were not to harvest all the way to the edge of their fields (Lev. 23:22). They were to leave the “gleanings” to those who were less fortunate. Those who were physically able to work were able to go and work picking up the leftovers from the harvest in order to feed themselves and their families. Widows, such as Ruth, who had no other economic prospects, would glean in order that they could eat.
Why did God provide in this way? He recognized that “you will always have the poor among you” (Matthew 26:11). In any economy, there are those who have abundance and those who have little. But here’s the thing: the harvesters were not to go and harvest and give to the poor. The poor had to go and glean for themselves. Therefore, they were fulfilling the obligation that if a man would not work, he should not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Providing for the poor was leaving some food that they could harvest. Ruth harvested for herself and her (apparently) aged mother-in-law.
Of course, times have changed and the economy is different, but we still have the poor among us. How would God have us to care for them?
Pray the Word:
Ask our Lord how He would have you to care for someone in need today.
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