The Practical Blessing

As a reminder, this week we’re emphasizing putting into practice scripture, most notably scripture from Ruth about blessing. In the book of Ruth there are a few times when the blessing given is very practical, very physical. There’s a real need, particularly around employment or hunger, and someone meets that need in the form of a blessing.

In this particular passage, Boaz pronounces a verbal blessing over Ruth and then follows it up with being a part of God’s blessing on Ruth by giving her work (and later, food).

So Boaz said to Ruth, “May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” ...As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don’t reprimand her.” - Ruth 2:1, 15

If you want to hear a stunning story of what this looks like from our church family, listen in at the 29:15 mark of the sermon on Sunday for about 3 minutes to hear Emma Mijares tell her story.

There are plenty of physical needs in our community right now. Is God putting a person or a situation on your heart to be a blessing there? After all, as of today just over one out of every 10 people in the U.S. who could work is without a job, and the U.S. Census did a massive study during Covid to find that 1 out of 3 Americans are suffering from clinical anxiety or depression these days. The need is there.

What might it look like for you to bless someone today who is facing a physical, financial, emotional, or spiritual need? Talk with Jesus about this and make a plan!