When We are Lavished on, We Tell Others

Scripture: Ruth 2:17-18

So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.  She took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. She also took it out and gave Naomi what she had left after she was satisfied.

Insights:  The second point this week is in some fashion difficult to put in written format.  If you had been at FBCBG Sunday, you would have watched me visualize this scene in such a fashion you would understand Ruth SPOKE words to her mother regarding the barley she harvested.  When God lavishes His love on us we have but one response and that is to tell others.  Ruth comes home and has “show and TELL” with Naomi about the days work.  To help you better understand the extend of the lavished love of God on Ruth you need to know what an ephah is.  There are historical discrepancies because of price gauging regarding how much an ephah weighed.  On the low end it would have been thirty pounds.  On the high side it would have been around fifty pounds.  Either way, this amount is far greater than any poor peasant gleaning the leftovers would have ever produced after a days worth of work.  It is for this reason Ruth comes home and “without” words just nonchalantly places the barley on the floor and opens her lunch pell and hands dinner over to Naomi and finally goes to bed quietly.  This version of the story just did not happen.  Ruth rushed home.  She flung the door open wide and hurriedly came inside.  She calls her mother-in-law loudly to come and see what the Lord has done and she proudly shows the ephah of barley and leftover lunch.  This thirty pounds was the lightest she had ever carried.  Beloved, do we get excited to tell others WITH OUR WORDS about the love of God?  He has done so much for us.  His Son died on a cross for our sins.  He purchased eternal life for us in His kingdom.  We have a future free of pain and sorrow and it is filled with joy and gladness.  We must go and tell others about Jesus.  This proclamation is imperative on our parts if we are going to give a proper response to God’s lavished grace.  Pray for God’s passion to fill your heart and out of the overflow spread His love.

Questions:

1. Who are you telling about God’s lavish provision in your life?

2. How excited are you at the privilege of being God’s mouthpiece to the world regarding His amazing love?

Prayer: Father, let my prayer be the same as the early church.  Lord, grant me boldness to proclaim unapologetically the name of Jesus.  Thank You for the way You lavish me with Your love, may I respond in a proper manner and tell others of Your grace.  Amen.