Ruth 2:19

Ruth 2:19

I. There are some whose only chance of gaining knowledge is by gleaning. Their education has been neglected, and their time for reading is limited. To such let me say: (1) Glean where the corn grows and lies near at hand. You will not find the corn by the wayside or on the moor, It is not in all company that you may glean wisdom. To the most of us, Where hast thou gleaned? is but another way of saying, What hast thou got as the result of thy life? (2) To glean successfully we must be willing to stoop. He who would be fed with the bread of life must humble himself.

II. If we would glean a heap, we must be content with a little at a time. It is wonderful what may be done by never passing by a thing that is worth preserving. We have trampled under foot during our life that which, if saved, would have done much to make a golden age for ourselves.

III. No one can glean well who is not able to persevere. If we mean to succeed, we must go on long after we are weary. We shall glean with greater care and industry if we remember that we must live for ever on the results of this life. If men did but think they gather gold for a crown or iron for fetters, they would be more careful what they pick up.

T. Champness, New Coins from Old Gold,p. 142.

References: Ruth 2:19. J. W. Burgon, Ninety-one Short Sermons,No. 76. Ruth 2:20. S. Cox, The Book of Ruth,p. 164; H. Melvill, Lothbury Lectures,p. 316. Ruth 2:23. R. Glover, By the Waters of Babylon,p. 73. 2 Parker, vol. vi., p. 204.Judges 3:1. J. Irons, Thursday Penny Pulpit,vol. vii., p. 25.Judges 3:1. Expositor,1st series, vol. ii., p. 257 (also S. Cox, The Book of Ruth,p. 101); Homiletic Magazine,vol. xv., p. 112.Judges 4:1. Expositor,1st series, vol. ii., p. 360 (and S. Cox, The Book of Ruth,p. 121); Expositor,3rd series, vol. iii., p. 126.