Where do you find a reliable doctor or lawyer? Do you first look in the yellow pages? Or do you ask friends who they have trusted with their lives? Where do you go for trustworthy advice for financial decisions?

These professionals and the services they give are building their reputations for being trustworthy, upright in their conduct and being highly recommended by those with whom they have had interactions professionally. Beware of those with a reputation that is not worthy of your trust.

Boaz looked for witnesses to begin and conclude a legal transaction at the accepted town “˜hall’. Boaz had gone to the town gate and had waited until the nearest relative of Naomi had come by, then Boaz singled out ten men as witnesses.

(NASB) Ruth 4:2 “He took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “˜Sit down here.’ So they sat down.”

***Boaz secured the necessary number of witnesses in the transaction he was going to put forward.

What are some of the practical approaches to life that are necessary? There are legalities that need to be addressed in our lives. Buying and selling of property, motor vehicles, wills and trusts; all involve necessary legalities. Competent and honest legal counsel is needed by each person at some point. It is wise to make contact with a doctor, a lawyer, a financial advisor – and get to know them on the professional level before having a crisis in life.

(NASB) Ruth 4:3 “Then he said to the closest relative, “˜Naomi, who has come back from the land of Moab, has to sell the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech.”

***There are two possible interpretations for Naomi’s need to sell her land.

1- She was selling the land because she needed the money (note that Ruth went to the harvest fields to provide food for Naomi and herself).

2- Naomi wanted to have the land bought back (redeemed) which Elimelech had sold before moving to Moab.

Either way, Naomi needed the financial help of her kinsman because she didn’t have money.

Boaz had “˜stepped up to the plate’ to help Naomi and had a clear understanding of what he would do if the nearest relative would not or could not buy the land.

Boaz was trustworthy to follow through in helping Naomi and his reputation was an established fact.

Trustworthy advisors on any level

are priceless to the ones who they help.

What is your reputation for giving trustworthy and helpful advice?

How is your reliability in following through when asked for help?

How shall you now pray?