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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

At this, [Ruth] bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”  Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.  May the Lord repay you for what you have done.  May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. Ruth 2:10-12

Read: Ruth 2:1-23
Listen: Ruth 2

TODAY’S MESSAGE

We’ve discussed ways to engage those around us throughout our series HELPING WITHOUT HURTING. What we’re learning is that giving should be not only need-based but movement-based. This takes a turn away from immediate or one-time giving to focus on the forward movement of the person(s) in need.

This week, we look at three principles from Scripture that help guide us in movement-based giving. We’ll discuss (1) rewarding positive movement, (2) recognizing a need doesn’t necessitate a call, and (3) being careful not to encourage negative behavior. Although these principles may sometimes seem unkind, they help us discern how to give help not just for the moment but to last for the long haul. Or, as Boaz says, to “be richly rewarded by the Lord.”

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

These principles are not rules. Helping others by giving can be very complicated. We need to bathe each situation in prayer. As you continue your 30 Days of Prayer, pray for God to reveal a situation for you to serve him by giving to someone in need.  As you pray, expect him to answer.

2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.

August is PRAYER. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.

Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.