This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for August 21) is written by Janet McMahon, community life director with Restore Community Church, Kansas City, Missouri.
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Empowering the Needy (Ruth 2:8-18)
By Janet McMahon
It started with this challenge from my friend John: “Why don”t you do something for someone who can never repay you?” Wow, that was a challenge for sure. Serving my friends and family was easy and natural for me most of the time””and often they would serve me in return. But finding someone who could never repay me was something new.
Shortly after that challenge, I found Preston. He visited our church building daily, mostly just to hang out, sleep on the couch, or find someone to talk to. He was a fixture in our community and he had many needs.
God matches people in need with people who have resources (Ruth 2:8, 9).
Ruth, a widow, in an effort to provide for herself and her mother-in-law, Naomi, who was also a widow, went to the fields to pick up leftover grain. As it happened, Ruth found herself working in the field of Boaz, who was in the same family clan as her father-in-law. This was no mistake. Boaz had the means to provide. He had other servant girls for her to work with, he had influence to keep her safe, and water when she was thirsty. Just as Ruth found herself in the field of Boaz, needy people cross our paths every day.
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Taking up John”s challenge, I befriended Preston. When I saw him, I went and talked to him and we prayed together. With my background in social work and mental health, I began to suspect that my friend Preston might have a chronic mental health issue that could benefit from diagnosis and treatment. Over time, and resulting from that extra dose of caring, Preston was able to receive a diagnosis, treatment, and disability income dating back several years. What Preston really needed matched what I had to offer.
Throughout the Bible we are called to respond generously to those in need. Hundreds of Bible verses challenge us to respond to those in poverty (see Matthew 25:31-46, for example). But do you ever find yourself wondering how to help and how to empower? Here are a few questions we can ask ourselves:
- What spiritual gifts do I have to share?
- What life experiences do I have that can help others?
- What extras do I have that can be given away?
God blesses those who bless others (Ruth 2:10-12).
Ruth was perplexed by Boaz”s generous treatment of her. “Why have I found such favor in your eyes?” she asked Boaz. As it turned out, Ruth”s reputation preceded her. Boaz had heard about her kind treatment of her mother-in-law. Boaz was motivated to be a blessing to someone who had been a blessing to someone else.
After helping Preston apply for disability benefits, based on his mental health condition, he received a large check of back support. One day, as was his routine, Preston came to the church. But this time he had a purpose for his visit. He asked around for me, and seemed anxious to find me. When he finally found me, he handed me an envelope. “Here, this is for you,” he said. Intrigued, I opened the envelope to find a card of thanks and $100. Shocked, I immediately said, “Preston, you did not have to do this!”
“Yes, I did,” he replied. “My mom made me.” I smiled. Out of gratefulness for the help I had given her son, Preston”s mother had generously given back to me.
God honors empowerment over handouts (Ruth 2:13-18).
The Bible is clear; Christ followers are to respond to those living in need and poverty. But do you ever wonder how to help? Consider 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” And Proverbs is filled with verses that challenge us to work for our food and provision. (See Proverbs 6:9-11, for example.) What are we to do?
Boaz seemed to understand the importance of empowering Ruth instead of giving a handout. He didn”t give Ruth what she needed; instead he arranged for her work to be fruitful.
My friend Preston had a job. He worked at Burger King 20 hours a week. He cleaned the tables and took out the trash. He wanted to work. He needed to work. But at 37 years old, a 20-hour-per-week job at Burger King was not enough for him to live on. Yet working more hours or at a different type of job proved to be too much for him to remain stable and healthy. The blessing of disability benefits allowed his work to be fruitful. He could finally provide for his daily needs.
I smiled as I graciously accepted the card and $100 from Preston. I put it in my pocket and was blessed. I guess I was not able to meet the challenge of my friend John, to find someone to help who could never do anything for me in return. I am beginning to wonder if the challenge is even possible.
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*Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, unless otherwise indicated.
| HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS |
| August 15: Proverbs 22:1-9 |
| August 16: Leviticus 19:1-10 |
| August 17: Matthew 20:1-15 |
| August 18: 1 Samuel 30:21-25 |
| August 19: 1 Timothy 6:11-19 |
| August 20: Ruth 2:1-7 |
| August 21: Ruth 2:8-18 |
ABOUT THE LESSON WRITER: Janet McMahon, community life director with Restore Community Church, Kansas City, Missouri, has a degree in social work from the University of Kansas.
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