Faith teaches contentment
As we’ve been looking at the story and character of Ruth, we’ve focused on her abundance of faithfulness in God. Ruth and Naomi arrived in Bethlehem with nothing, not even any family, yet yesterday we learned that she went out to pick up the leftovers of the harvest just as God’s Word told the widows to do. Despite her circumstances not being ideal, Ruth was content to work for what she needed.
Contentment: A state of happiness or satisfaction.
Not only does Ruth go out to work hard without knowing how many leftovers she’ll be able to find, but she also puts her heart into it. Even the owner of the field notices her work ethic! He then asks who she is...
Ruth 2:6-7 “And the foreman replied, ‘She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes rest in the shelter.’”
Colossians 3:23 “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
Luke 10:27 “The man answered, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ‘Right!’ Jesus told him. ‘Do this and you will live’.”
When our faith rests in God, we trust His promises and are able to go about our work while being content and also giving it our best effort. If we’re to love God with all we have to offer and we’re to do everything as if we’re doing it for him, then we’ll be known for our hard work. People notice contentment, especially in tough circumstances, which presents an opportunity to glorify God just as Ruth did in her work.
1 Timothy 6:6 “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.”
Questions:
Have you ever had to do something you didn’t want to do? Or didn’t think it was your job?
What level of effort did you put into it?
Did you act in a way that would point other people to your contentment in Christ?
Have you found contentment in Christ? (see Philippians 4:10-13)
How can you display your love for God and His people in the way you work today?