Ruth 1:1
“Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.”
Elimelech and his wife, Ruth, made the same mistake that many still make today in that they didn’t learn that you don’t follow bread. A famine had come to their land, and they felt they needed to go to the country of Moab so they could survive. What is sad is that they left the place of God’s blessings to go to a place where they would eventually see the bread they followed dry up. Not only did it dry up, but Naomi lost close to everything. She left Bethlehemjudah a pleasant lady but came back a bitter one.
Many Christians have blamed God for their condition when they should be blaming themselves. If they had learned the principles God teaches about bread, they would have learned that He will take care of them in the time of famine as much as He takes care of them in times of plenty. When I talk about bread, I am talking about money and its ability to meet your needs. Four bread principles can be learned from Naomi that, if followed, will help you throughout your life.
First, don’t follow quick bread because it will soon be gone. The mistake this couple made was that they became more concerned with the immediate instead of the future. You must never allow yourself to become a person who looks for a quick way to make money. Always remember that if you can earn it quickly, it can be lost just as fast.
Second, bread is cyclical; don’t get too excited or too worried. One of the principles I’ve observed about money throughout my lifetime is that there will be good times as well as bad. When money seems to be plenteous, you would be wise not to spend it as if you will always have it because eventually it will dry up. On the other hand, when financial times are bad, don’t get so worried that it is always going to be that way; times will eventually turn around. In times of financial famine, you must learn how to tighten the belt so you can make it. It times of plenty, don’t spend frivolously but learn to set aside so you have a way to make it in those times of famine.
Third, God can provide bread in the time of famine. What is interesting about this couple was that verse 21 says they “went out full.” God was providing their needs, but they wanted more. Friend, God can take care of you in any financial circumstance. God’s economy is not based on the world’s economy. God will take care of you if you don’t despair.
Fourth, follow God’s will; not bread. The greatest lesson you can learn from this couple’s life is that God’s will should be what you follow. God will take care of you as long as you follow His will. Money should never be the determining factor as to what you should do. You might follow a job that will give you more money, but end up losing your family and marriage because you left the church where God was blessing you. Just because you can make more money somewhere else doesn’t make it right. You had better be sure that where you are going is where God wants you to go and not where your pocketbook wants you to go. If you follow God’s will for your life, He will make sure that He takes care of your needs. Always remember that God can provide in times of famine as much as He provides in times of plenty.