Today's Devotional

October 4, 2002

Subject:  A Man About Business

Ruth 3:18 - "Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall:  for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day."

With scandals rocking the business and political world today, it's quite refreshing to read about a man who was of the utmost character.  Long before Naomi uttered the statement above about Boaz, his lifestyle had already given him a respect among men.  Therefore Naomi could make the statement that she made above.  Reading through the story you know that Boaz wanted to marry Ruth, but realized that there was a property issue at stake that needed to be resolved.  In upholding the principle regarding redemption of property in that time, hew was then able to gain the hand of Ruth.

Someone said that "character is what you are when nobody's watching."  Well in Boaz's case, it was plain to see that what he was when the lights were out was equal to what he was when they were on.  That is why Naomi could say that he would not rest until the issue was resolved.  Boaz was a man about the business.  No playing around, waiting around or just hanging around.  No, Boaz would see that pending issues within his realm of authority were promptly resolved. 

How does that differ from us?  Are you a man or woman about business or do things linger on and on until someone else finally resolves them?  What do people say about you when it comes to "doing the right thing?"  Is your character one that will be respected or ridiculed?

Surely Boaz didn't acquire these traits overnight, but through time he became a great man of God. Let's begin character building today! 

Carlen