As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don’t reprimand her. Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don’t rebuke her.” Ruth 2:15-16
“Boaz provides another model of the generosity of the godly rich. He extends numerous extra favors to Ruth, despite her being a foreigner, allowing her to glean extra in his fields and giving her various special gifts (Ruth 2). When Ruth approaches him by night with what amounted to a proposal of marriage, Boaz continues to go out of his way not to take advantage of her (ch. 3). When her nearest guardian-redeemer decides he cannot take Ruth into his family, Boaz generously and happily does so (ch. 4). Still Naomi and Ruth have had to work hard and plan shrewdly to arrive at this point. Gleaning, like the other events of the narrative, “involves the recipients in the the work … maintaining a balance between generosity and dignity. The landowner is not burdened with extra work in being generous to the poor, and the poor have the privilege of working to supply their needs.”
Craig Blomberg in Christians in an Age of Wealth: A Biblical Theology of Stewardship (Biblical Theology for Life; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013) 98.
Blomberg is one of many brilliant biblical scholars down here at the IBR/SBL meetings in San Antonio (the famous downtown River Walk is pictured above). Don’t miss his point, especially if you are among the “godly rich” as he puts it: Use what you have not to take advantage of those in need, but to create opportunities for them. Also follow God’s design by inviting them into the work of supplying their needs.
These principles don’t just hold true for the “godly rich” (as many of us may not fit in the same category as Boaz)! If you are a parent or have influence on others, never tire (as Paul puts it in 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13) of doing what is good and teaching others (in your words and by your example) how to work, live, and give. In so doing, you will model and maintain the balance of generosity and dignity.