There are many characteristics a Kings Man, a man of God, should have. They include Honor, courage or boldness, faith and charity or love just to name few. Paul explains the importance of charity in passage from 1 Corinthians 13 below.
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
According to Dictionary.com there seven definitions for charity, but the three that stick out the most are as follows: 1. benevolent feeling, especially toward those in need or in disfavor. 2. Leniency in judging others; forbearance. 3. Christian or agape love. Above all Boaz displayed this character of charity that Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 13 with his treatment of those around him. This is especially true in his treatment of Ruth.
Boaz’s charity is really evident when he shows compassion for a woman that is considered an outsider. It was considered to be great taboo, and was commanded by God to not marry a woman of a different nationality and religion. Boaz heard Ruth’s story and knew that she gave up her religion, country, and family to follow Naomi and Naomi’s God and to take care of Naomi. He can see that she is truly a virtuous woman. He honors the sacrifice that Ruth gave for Naomi and God by ensuring that she received a little extra from her gleaning. His displays courage and integrity when he decides to portray this character of charity above protecting his reputation and inheritance. He uses his knowledge of the law and the pride of a closer relative’s reputation to convince the other relative pass down right to buy Naomi’s inheritance to Boaz. His final act of charity shown in the Bible is portrayed when Boaz and Ruth give their first born son Obed to Naomi, which is the lineage of David then later Jesus.
Paul goes on to explain in 1 Corinthians 13:13
“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
I find that Boaz’s greatest trait is charity or agape love. My hope and prayer is that us Kings Men as the body of Christ can always show this type of charity to all those around us.
Jeff Phillips
The King's Men 