March 30, 2026

Business by the Book

Ruth 2:8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:

At this point in her story Ruth is greatly impoverished. She had no husband, no way to provide for herself, she was not Hebrew, not to mention that she was trying to care for her mother-in-law who had neither husband nor sons. Ruth was in a bad way. Sometime before Boaz arrived at this field she begged the manager of the reapers for permission to pick up the picked-over ears of corn. Upon hearing all this Boaz showed benevolence to her. He told her that she could stay in his field and be a part as if she were one of his maids.

Showing benevolence to the less fortunate is a wonderful trait that this “…mighty man of wealth…” seemed to possess. The word “benevolence” has many synonyms: kindness, compassion, generosity, goodwill, altruism, and magnanimity just to name a few. Parke Godwin said, “The true source of cheerfulness is benevolence. The soul that perpetually overflows with kindness and sympathy will always be cheerful.”  From the total picture of Boaz that the Bible paints I imagine him a cheerful sort, willing to help the underprivileged.

Within the pages of the Word of God there are many promises to those who remember the poor. No doubt we will visit them before the year is out, but for now, think of benevolence and charity as close cousins. Close in relationship but springing from different seeds. Benevolence is the act, charity is the motive. About charity Bob Hope said, “If you haven’t any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.”  The little ditty “Get all you can and can all you get” may be cute indeed, but it leaves no room for benevolence born out of charity.

Proverbs 19:17 clearly states: He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. No doubt the Lord God repaid Boaz for the investment he made when he helped a down-and-out woman named Ruth. Perhaps this is part of the reason that Boaz was so mighty in the wealth department. God was repaying his charitable spirit and acts of benevolence.

Dr. William Howe