God's Word to the Wise

Today’s TFL devotional discusses Boaz inviting Ruth to sit and eat with him and the male reapers. This was indeed “unexpected and culturally counterintuitive.” AB goes on to show that the Christian should do likewise, and ought to be the first one to include the outcast. 

Ruth wasn’t your typical outcast. We are told she was very attractive, and the daughter-in-law of a relative. I would caution against inviting a total stranger into your home. There are, however, known strangers, E.g. a visiting missionary, or individual and family with whom we are somewhat familiar. Then there are those who are left off the party list, (Outcasts) 

I know of an older lady who attended a church and its extended ministries for many years. Along came Covid, and some other extremely difficult experiences and she was not able to attend the weekly Bible study and worship service she had faithfully attended for those many years.

Early during this change of circumstances she invited the pastor and his family for dinner. He declined. Later she again offered an invite to dinner. He again declined. Some of the Bible study participants looked in on her early on, but over time this Church abandoned her. 

She watches their Sunday worship via live videostream, and she continues to give her tithe in support of their ministry. There was a more recent attempt to connect with the pastor. He expressed concern, but never contacted her. Evidently she is not worthy of their time and attention. To the Church’s shame there are many who fit this description. These are the outcasts we can safely invite into our homes. These are those with whom we, the Church, should look to build relationships.

“My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,  and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,”  have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?  But you have dishonored the poor man. If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;  but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” (My excerpts from James 2:1-9)