When Megan visited Cambodia in 2015, she was heartbroken. Although Christian charities were working to free girls and women from sexual slavery, they didn’t have nearly enough funding. As she flew back from her trip, Megan felt God say to her, “I need you to create a business that will generate millions.” In response to this prompt, she started a kombucha drink business, which she named Holos, using 25 percent of the founders’ shares for a foundation to rehabilitate the survivors of human trafficking.
The Bible tells of a wealthy business owner who was similarly motivated to help a destitute woman: Ruth, an immigrant with no wage earner in her family. Boaz is an exemplary boss: hands-on and knowing what goes on in his workplace (Ruth 2:5). He speaks to Ruth with respect and gentleness (vv. 8-12); he makes sure she is looked after in the workplace, feeding her (v. 14) and protecting her from molestation (v. 9), and without humiliating her, he safeguards her income ( v. 16). Like the Cambodian women, Ruth, the ancestor of Jesus, was worthy of dignity.
Both Boaz and Megan reflect God’s generous heart to the vulnerable. In the Old Testament, God consistently advocates for refugees, widows and those on low incomes. As consumers, we too can support businesses that run charitable enterprises or give fair wages to ex-convicts and immigrants. By doing so, we reflect God’s love for marginalised people.
By Tanya Marlow
REFLECT & PRAY
What businesses do you know of that help their community? If you are a business owner, what further steps might you take to build it on Christian principles?
Dear God, please bless the business owners and entrepreneurs doing good in their community, either directly through their work or through charitable enterprises. Please give them creativity, wisdom and courage.
The book of Ruth is set during the period of the judges (Ruth 1:1). But rather than a dark story of sin and judgment, we read an uplifting account of loving loyalty. While the books of Judges and Ruth are different in many ways, they share one similarity. Just as the book of Judges leads us to think about the kingship, so does Ruth—in this case King David specifically. As we read this account today, we understand that kingship in general and King David in particular would eventually take us to Jesus, David’s greater son (see Luke 20:41–44).
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