Gleaning, Generosity, and Tithes

• Leviticus 19:9 (NASB)
• Leviticus 19:10 (NASB)
• Ruth 2:15 (NASB)
• Ruth 2:16 (NASB)
• Matthew 5:28 (NASB)
• Matthew 5:32 (NASB)
• Matthew 5:34 (NASB)
• Matthew 5:39 (NASB)
• Matthew 5:44 (NASB)
• 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NASB)
• 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NASB)
• 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NASB)

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That which God has not given to us is not ours to give.  Note that the extra fruit of the field that is for the poor and the needy is not given to us.  Thus, to let them eat it is NOT GENEROUS!!  It was never ours to give in the first place.  Thus when Boaz lets Ruth not only glean from the ground and the edges of the field, but also to glean from what has actually been given to him by God!  Thus Boaz now had actually GIVEN generously to Ruth.

When taken with how Jesus taught the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 and with Paul's teachings in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, you can see clearly how we are supposed to give.  Like Boaz gave to Ruth.  Not out of our tithes.  Not out of that which God has already claimed.  But out of the abundance that God HAS given us.  Cheerfully.  Also note, Boaz got to marry Ruth...  Which I think is worth far more than he gave her out of his crops...

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