Allow me if you would to , paint a picture of Matthew 6: 33 using the account in the book of Ruth.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Matthew 6: 33 NKJV

In my study of the book of Ruth, I realised that what separated Ruth and Orpah was not mere attitude and determination. They were both lovely and both committed to their mother in law, Naomi. Orpah, who may have been misjudged a few times, was actually a very committed lady who still remained with her mother in law, after the death of her husband. She did not just remain with Naomi but was also willing to relocate to a strange land when Naomi decided to return to her homeland. She packed her bags and followed until her mother in law persuaded her otherwise. Oprah is a picture and representation of the goodness and righteousness that comes from self. There is only so much that can go; it will eventually come crumbling down. I particularly like the way the message translation describes our self-righteousness :

” We’re all sin-infected, sin-contaminated. Our best efforts are grease-stained rags.”
Isaiah 64 : 6 MSG

When you try to follow God in your own strength, you are at your best, grease-stained rags, and even with all your good intentions, you will fail and give up.

In contrast to her sister in law, Ruth followed Naomi for a different reason, and that is where the separation lies.


“But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. [17] Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” [18] When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more.”
Ruth 1: 16 – 18 NLT

Ruth encountered the Israelite God in the house of Elimelech. Even though she
was still in Moab, she separated herself from the Moabite god and the Moabite ways, her clinging to Naomi was not merely a commitment to a woman but a commitment to God. She surrendered to God and followed His leading, even not knowing what that entailed or where it would lead.

Seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness is accepting God and His way of doing things over your known way. It is expressly surrendering what you think is best and following sheepishly even when it doesn’t make sense. Ruth followed Naomi without question and was completely submitted to her. She lived and breathed to please Naomi.

When they arrived at Bethlehem, the idea of going into the harvest fields to work so she could get food for both of
them was Ruth’s way of taking care of Naomi but what she did not realise was that by serving Naomi, she was opening a door of favour for herself and positioning herself for something much bigger than her. Ruth sought the kingdom by forsaking all and following Naomi. Nothing was about her anymore. Everything became about how to please Naomi, and this brought her the kind of favour she could never have earned, not in a million years.

Ruth found herself in Boaz’s field( that’s the kind of divine guidance and direction that comes when you are completely dependent on God ) of all the fields in the land. Boaz was described as a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem, and he also happened to be a relative of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech( which meant that he could marry and take care of Ruth ) . Ruth also found herself in Boaz field on the day Boaz was visiting.

Unknown to Ruth while she worked, her labour of love was known to others. Her dedication to work was obvious to all. Boaz’s foreman had been observing her and could give a good report, and this also worked to her advantage. Ruth found so much favour in one day, in comparison to all her life put together before that day.
Our responsibility is to seek the Kingdom of God, and when we do, God is the one who does the adding to our lives. We don’t seek Him for the additions, yet He adds anyways, and He sure does know what we need even before we ask. God’s addition to our lives is always exceedingly, abundantly, above what we think or imagine .

Much Blessings

Kingdom Durogene