Employees – Employers have Responsibilities toward Each Other
When you are working for your employer, Ephesians 6:6-7 says workers are not to only work well when their “˜boss’ is around, making themselves look good; but to work as working as a follower of Christ. Ephesians also says we are to be working by doing God’s will from right motives that come from our hearts. Good work on the job is to be done as to the Lord and not to men, looking for their commendation. This could also be said for those who volunteer, and those who go to school.
Boaz had a foreman whom he relied on when he asked the question: “˜Whose young woman is this?’ And Boaz expected an honest report.
(NASB) Ruth 2:6 “The servant in charge of the reapers replied, “˜She is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab.'”
***This foreman knew about Ruth. He knew Boaz’ desires to know the workers.
To ascertain this information, he would have had to talk with Ruth and found out who she was. He relayed the information about which Boaz was asking:
(NASB) Ruth 2:7 “And she said, “˜Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ “˜Thus she came and has remained from the morning until now; she has been sitting in the house for a little while.'”
***The foreman had made the decision to give her permission to glean in Boaz’ field and was not afraid to have made a wrong decision; he was not blind-sided by Boaz for making a decision. This was a part of his responsibilities.
Employers need to be careful not to micromanage their employees whom they have entrusted with specific responsibilities.
Right decisions and fairness to employees are to be done from the aspect that”˜you also have a Master in heaven.’(NIV Colossians 4:1)
As followers of Christ, workers are to be granted justice and fairness in the various aspects of their jobs, by their employers.
What can be learned about Ruth from this foreman’s report to Boaz? Ruth was a foreigner, yet she followed proper protocol by asking permission to glean in the fields. She showed respect for the customs of this country. Ruth had come early and had worked, taking a refreshing break time and she was there for the full day of labor.
