by John O’Malley
“And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said” (Ruth 2:6).
“Whose damsel is this?” is the question that began Ruth’s love story. The question caused the servant to give a full answer to Boaz. The servant then had opportunity to explain to Boaz how his heart had been drawn to Ruth’s cause.
The servant had given Ruth permission to glean in Boaz’s field. As the servant set over the reapers, he held responsibility for her presence in the field. Ruth’s procurement from the field was under his direct control. The servant held the key to any prosperity she would gain from the field.
Boaz’s question was not to set the servant on the defensive with his master. After all, the servant had acted in light of God’s law pertaining to the poor and the stranger being allowed to harvest in the corners of the fields and to glean after the reapers.
“And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 23:22 ).
The servant set over the reapers was responsible for who was permitted to glean in Boaz’s field. He had to give an account to Boaz for Ruth’s presence. He would give account for his attitude, activity, and ability in managing the harvest work for his lord.
As a servant-church member set over harvest reapers, what is your attitude toward the harvest? Do you grumble when missionaries come to your church? Do you resent the purpose of their visit? Do you display the right spirit when the harvesters are seeking financial support to do the reaping of the Lord of the harvest?
As a servant-church member set over harvest reapers, what has been your activity in the harvest? Have you encouraged the laborers? Have you enlisted more laborers? Have you equipped more laborers? When listening to a missionary as he shares his calling and concerns, do you seek to involve yourself or distance yourself?
As a servant-church member set over harvest reapers, have you used all of your ability for the harvest? Do you, from time to time, respond with excuses of disability? When faced with responsibility, do you respond with all of your ability?
There is a day in God’s timetable where believers will give an account to God for their harvest attitude, activity, and ability.We will give an account to God before His Bema Seat after the Rapture of the saints. This accounting must then endure God’s gold, silver, precious stone, and wood, hay, and stubble test.