Reward

“May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”  Ruth 2:12

Reward – Our language does not reveal the basic concept behind this word.  As a result, we miss an exceedingly important theological connection.  But if we were Hebrews, we would see it at once.  The word is sakar and it means, “to hire for wages”.  Once we see that this is not a reward but really a wage, then the question jumps right at us:  Who is Ruth working for?

From the world’s perspective, Ruth was a transient.  She had no job.  That’s why she is gleaning the fields.  She is living under the law of God for the protection of widows and strangers.  Ruth is today’s homeless woman, caring for her widowed mother-in-law.  Neither woman has the favor or protection on a man.  And that meant real hardship.  Boaz has heard the story.  He knows that Ruth didn’t have to come with her mother-in-law to this strange land.  He knows that Ruth has embraced a new God and is seeking to serve Him.  But Boaz does not offer her wages.  Instead, he offers her something of far more value: acceptance.  He tells Ruth that the one who is going to reward her is God Himself.  Boaz sees immediately that the service Ruth is performing means she is in the employ of God, and God never misses a paycheck.

Boaz’ comment to Ruth establishes a critical principle.  No matter where the money comes from, we work for God.  He is the real Boss.  He may use someone else to do the distribution, but the vault is His and He hands out the wages.

This principle works no matter what kind of job we are doing.  Paul points out the red ink side (“The wages of sin is death”).  Boaz points out to black ink column.  Self-sacrificing service for others never goes unnoticed by the Father of those seeking refuge.  Ruth, the nobody lost in the history of Israel, turns our attention toward real service and her service puts the spotlight on the real employer.

The company name on your paycheck isn’t really paying your wages.  In God’s world, you work for Him.  Is your work worthy of your wages?