Leadership - Street Cred
I know many of you have closed numerous deals. But what's the most important deal you've ever negotiated? The best creation you've ever crafted. What's the most impactful decision you've made, case you've tried, or cause you've fought for? In Boaz's case, I suspect it was the deal he made that fateful day at the town gate. He earned much more than a plot of land.
The Bible says a lot about how God rewards people, in this life and in the life to come. “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body” (2 Corinthians 5:10; see also Rev. 22:12). So yes, the deals we do in this life matter, large and small.
Be encouraged today. God is for us. He wants us to do good deeds, not for show or fame, but for Him. One act of generosity today can make a lasting impact, long remembered. Greed squelches growth; it is the mark of a rightly forgotten man. Be generous today. Live generously.
Going to the “town gate” and taking a seat there requires street cred. Boaz earned it. You can tell when people put in the work, the sacrifice, and the time to earn a good reputation, and when they don't. Shortcuts, favoritism, coverups, cheating: there are many ways to get to a destination, but not all are right. Highways and narrow paths. Cowardly retreats and brave advances to take a stronghold. In fact, God favors the brave, those willing to fight well with the full armor of God, not caring for the applause of men but for what our God has to say about the matter.
Yes, Boaz earned that seat. He was a builder. A fighter. He owned land and thrived even through famine and political turmoil. He was a man of God, respected by his employees, his family, and his community. Boaz was wealthy and a man of influence. He knew and applied God’s standards.
His foreman and all of his team knew Boaz's high standards. They knew his respect for God’s righteousness and goodness. That required discipline and obedience, but it also fostered a close-knit community where the women worked hard yet were protected and secure, and the men worked even harder and knew their roles and responsibilities. All of them were empowered to use their abilities and encouraged to exercise discretion within Boaz’s expectations (serving God and the community). Organizations led like that are unstoppable.
I’ve seen a lot of boards do things right when wrong things are the easy choice. From small ones like church boards to big publicly traded companies, ethical decisions are at every step and for every stage of an organization.
It’s amazing what one person’s voice for righteousness at the table can do for an organization. Be that person. When others say retreat, be the man who says it’s time to take a strategic step forward and go on the attack, for God expects His men to fight well in this real spiritual war.
Like Boaz in his public redemption of Naomi’s property, we too should do right publicly so all can see we are honoring God’s way. Notice that the council was also godly: they recognized what Boaz was doing to redeem Naomi and how, by honoring her husband and sons, Boaz honored God and their whole community. I love how Boaz's faith inspired the rest of them to pray a blessing. Godly courage is contagious.
Boaz was determined to marry Ruth, his God-fearing and honoring woman. Yes, they were an odd couple. God’s creativity knows no bounds. God gives grace generously; He opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
You see, we are called by God to plan and wisely execute strategy, whether simply elegant, clumsy yet effective, elaborate, complex, or concise. Use your style. Be yourself as gifted by God. But check your motives. All day. Naomi and Ruth’s first-order family redeemer gets no name, no honor (4:1). That’s because his motives were selfish ambition (4:6). Boaz, second in line, like Jacob, was tenacious. He had a perception of the things of God and a desire to do right by Him. And now and forever, Boaz is famous in the Kingdom of God for his righteous determination.
Spoiler: Boaz got his woman, and Ruth her man. Right there in Bethlehem (long before the Magi), their little family would grow in godliness. God blesses people who trust in Him.
Rejoice when your neighbors do well. That is the kind of America we need. Celebrate the success of others, godly success. See God’s hand at work and praise our Savior Jesus Christ for it, as the women praised God for His blessing on Ruth and Naomi (4:13-17).
Men, we won’t likely know much about our grandkids' lives. Boaz probably knew little of Jesse and nothing of David. But what a mark they would make. We will find out someday how our God rewards them, and how He rewards our kids and grandkids.
Let’s do what we can now and trust God for loving and caring for our kids and grandkids. Let’s trust that they will be builders for Christ. Like Boaz, oppose evil. Take whatever brave step of faith you need today to earn your credentials as a faithful man of God. And trust God’s provision and His redemption paid on the Cross of Calvary.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for this day to build. Amen.
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