The Fruit of Your Work

The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge. Ruth 2:12 (NKJV)

As soon as they are settled in Naomi's homeland, Ruth asks permission to glean heads of grain behind the harvesters so that they could have food to eat. Naomi agrees and Ruth sets out to glean after the reapers. She ends up in a field belonging to Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi, who is described as noble and kind. Boaz takes notice of her and tells her she is only to harvest in his fields where she will be protected and when she is thirsty will have water to drink. Ruth tells Boaz that she is not worthy of his kindness because she is a foreigner. He tells her, that because of her faithful service to Naomi, she would be rewarded, both by him and God. Boaz then instructs his reapers to leave full sheaves of grain for her to pick up. She returns home to Naomi with an ephah of barley, which is enough to last them several weeks. Ruth continues to reap in Boaz's fields to the end of the barley and wheat harvests.

Just like Ruth, true faith will produce good works as evidence of our relationship with God. James 2:17-18 says, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds." God see's our deeds that come from our faith in Him, and He blesses us. Some people will relate blessings to monetary worth, but that is not so. There are people all around the world that do not have much, but they have been blessed beyond all comprehension by God for their good works. We are spiritually blessed, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We are also blessed with protection and guidance in our lives. We find comfort in the assurance that God is with us, providing strength and support during difficult times.

Choose to be like Ruth and serve the Lord faithfully. God will bless you for your works. The world will see God, working through you. Show the world the fruits of the work that your faith has provided. Someone will see you and choose to follow Christ, and another soul will be saved from eternal damnation. That is the fruit that God desires from our work.