Love Like a Mother -- Naomi and RuthSample

Portion Control

Then Boaz said, “on the day you buy the land from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the dead man’s widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.” (Ruth 4:5 NIV)

Portion, as it is often misunderstood, elicits a sense of deprivation. It is so often replaced with words like piece or part and rouses that anxious inner self that wrestles with having less than an amount of something it desires. It means stopping short of satisfaction and feeling unfulfilled, restricted, and hungry for more. If portion is spoken, we often hear control.

When Boaz called together the court of elders, it would be for a discussion of portions. Chapter 3 verse 12 tells us that although Boaz is the family’s guardian-redeemer, there is another member more closely related to whom Ruth and the land of Elimelek would be given first. For this true guardian-redeemer, the option to deliver Ruth and Naomi from their circumstances was exactly that, a choice, and a means. Though the land was a tempting offer and would increase his wealth, what gain would be had in marrying a young widow? Boaz, however, being next in line, saw this portion as an opportunity to not only be blessed but to be a blessing to a virtuous woman in need. It would mean the opportunity to do a kindness for Ruth by marrying her, and a kindness for himself because of his fondness for her.

To Boaz, his portion was indeed a measure, but a perfect measure, exactly what he needed. His love for Ruth had grown out of her honorable reputation. He had experienced her kindness, gentleness, and humility himself. After all, he had seen, heard, and felt, redeeming Ruth was desirable. His heritage was far more than an obligation, but a privilege that stirred his heart to action.

In the same way, the portion that comes from God can be thought of as a gift or inheritance. Not unlike grace, our portion is unmerited, unable to be earned, but an honor to receive, nonetheless. Being adopted into God’s family comes with privileges and titles, the greatest of which is Jesus. Our share of good is truly good! A measure of Jesus is a perfect one indeed, by which we can rest under a guarantee of eternal security, provision, consistent faithfulness, and rely daily in the here and now on His unwavering strength. His portion is more than enough! We have no lack and nothing more to gain. Like Boaz, our Guardian-Redeemer does not intercede out of selfish ambition or obligation. He is the first in line to redeem us, in fact, the only one who can, and He volunteered to do it. He does all this out of love, and a desire to be reunited with his most prized creation. He wants your redemption every bit as much as you need it. Regardless of our fear of the word portion, the truth is that apart from Him we have no good thing. Without Jesus, we don't just have a smaller portion, we have nothing. Even if we gain the whole world, without Jesus, it's worth nothing. Everything that is not eternal will be destroyed. It’s either His portion (which is totally, completely, and abundantly more than we deserve) or we have very much of what we don’t need and could never take with us into what is to come.

Read verse 10 again. Today you are witnesses. (NIV)

When God delivers to you your portion, are you really seeing it? Have you asked the Provider to reveal any stumbling block getting in the way of feeling full and satisfied? You are both witnesses and recipients of God's Grace. A witness is one who will testify to the truth, and the truth is that God has already given you more than you deserve. You are both recipients and witnesses to the grace and mercy of God, both for yourself and to all those who would accept this free and perfect gift.

Boaz had a community of witnesses attentive to his circumstances and any changes in them. When the temporal things (sleepless nights, busy schedules, being a mom and teacher) start clouding your peace in the eternal, call a counsel together to bear witness to the portion you have received. Remember what you have in Christ, not what you think you lack. Watch as the doubt and worry are swept away in the goodness of God as others speak life and truth into the false narrative that says you are deprived and without.

Think about these questions in your own life: What do you have to be thankful for? What is the most significant portion that God has given you? Are you inviting others to remind you of your unique and measured portion for this season? In what way has worry or anxiousness helped you in the past? What can you do in this season to remember the goodness of God and also help those around you as well?