If you think hospitality is all warm bread baskets and perfectly fluffed guest pillows, let me tell you…sometimes it feels more like sticking your hand in a bear trap and hoping for the best. Showing kindness, welcoming people in, and offering a seat at the table comes with risks. Sometimes, it leads to deep friendships, incredible stories, and moments that remind you why you do it in the first place. Other times… well, let’s just say I’ve had guests who took advantage of my generosity, tested my patience, or left me questioning my own judgment.

I know firsthand that hospitality can be a gamble. There are no guarantees. You open your home, your table, or your heart, and you hope that the person on the other side respects what you’re offering. But the truth is, sometimes they won’t. Sometimes, the kindness you show will be met with indifference; or worse, betrayal. And yet, here’s the thing: hospitality isn’t about playing it safe. It’s about doing what’s right. It’s about showing love, whether it’s returned or not. It’s about reflecting God’s goodness, even when the risk is high.

And sometimes, hospitality isn’t just about serving a meal, it’s about standing up for what is right, even when it costs you. Maybe it means opening your door to someone society has cast aside. Maybe it means speaking truth in a room where no one wants to hear it. Maybe it means taking a stand for someone who can’t stand up for themselves. Whatever it is, it will come with risks. You might lose friends, community, respect, or even opportunities. But doing the right thing has never been about making life easy…it’s about making it meaningful.

At the end of the day, hospitality isn’t just for the easy guests, the ones who say thank you, send a nice card, and return the favor; or the easy moments. No, true hospitality is for the difficult ones too. The ones who are broken, hurting, and maybe don’t even realize how much they need it. And sometimes, it’s for those who need you to fight for them, to stand beside them, and to show them that love isn’t just about comfort, it’s about courage. That’s the kind of hospitality that changes lives. That’s the kind that matters. And that’s the kind we’re called to show, risk or not.

In Ruth 3, hospitality isn’t just about putting food on the table or offering a bed for the night. Oh no, it’s about going all-in, throwing yourself into the mix with everything you’ve got: vulnerability, trust, and generosity. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone, like Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz did, and taking a risk that might just change your life. And let’s be honest, these folks didn’t just “offer help”, they went full-on superhero mode, only without the capes (though, if anyone had a cape in this story, it would be Naomi).

Picture this: Naomi. This woman’s got guts. Ruth’s not just struggling to survive; she’s facing the abyss of a future with no stability. So, what does Naomi do? Does she offer her a warm cup of tea and a pat on the back? Nope. She pulls Ruth aside and hands her a plan so bold it could be on the cover of Risk-Taking for Dummies. Naomi tells Ruth, “You’re going to go to Boaz, lie down at his feet while he’s sleeping, and when he wakes up, ask him to take you under his wing.”

Now, let’s be real: if someone told me to go do something like that, I’d need a bit of therapy afterward. But Naomi’s got a vision. She’s not just thinking about Ruth’s next meal or a roof over her head; she’s thinking long-term. She’s thinking, “Let’s get this woman a secure future.” Naomi’s willing to risk it all, because in her heart, she knows that Ruth needs more than just survival; she needs hope.

Naomi teaches us that sometimes, hospitality isn’t about offering the basics. It’s about taking a risk to help someone secure a future, even if it means stepping into the unknown. It’s like when your buddy asks you for a ride to the airport at 4 AM, it’s inconvenient, but you know it’s what friends do. Naomi’s the friend who would take you to the airport, no questions asked, even if it means a little discomfort and a bit of bold action.

Then there’s Ruth. This woman? She’s got bravery by the bucketful. Naomi says, “Go lie at Boaz’s feet,” and Ruth doesn’t flinch. She’s like, “Alright, let’s do this!” She’s out there making one of the most vulnerable, humble requests you could imagine: “Boaz, will you spread the corner of your garment over me?” Translation: “Hey, I’m trusting you with my future. Don’t screw this up, buddy.”

Ruth’s not making any flashy moves or trying to manipulate the situation. Nope. She’s there, exposed and vulnerable, hoping Boaz will take the hint. And let’s not forget, she’s not just asking for a simple favor, she’s asking him to redeem her. That’s a big ask! It’s like asking someone to not only buy you dinner but to go ahead and pay off your student loans while they’re at it.

But Ruth’s request is humble, full of respect, and rooted in the trust she’s placed in Boaz’s integrity. She’s laying it all out there, no pretenses, no games. She’s hoping Boaz sees her need and steps up.

Ruth shows us that sometimes hospitality means putting ourselves in a position where we’re completely exposed. It’s about asking for help when we need it, not in a “I’m desperate and I’m pulling every string” kind of way, but in a “Hey, I trust you to do the right thing” way. It takes guts. And it’s way harder than just making dinner for someone.

Boaz? Well, he could’ve played it cool and acted like he didn’t know what was going on. Instead, he steps up and says, “I’ll be your redeemer if the closer relative passes on it.” Boom. Done. He doesn’t hesitate. He doesn’t play any games. He’s all in. Not only that, but he also praises Ruth for her loyalty to Naomi and sends her home with six measures of barley. Let me put this in perspective: six measures of barley were no small gift. This wasn’t like sending Ruth home with a leftover Tupperware of mashed potatoes. This was like handing her a gold bar wrapped in a big ol’ bow.

And why does he do it? Because Boaz understands the weight of what Ruth is asking. He sees her need, and instead of just meeting the minimum, he goes above and beyond — even thinking ahead about Naomi’s needs. He’s not just ticking a box of “helping someone out”; he’s taking full responsibility for what’s happening. And in that moment, Boaz becomes the kind of person who shows up when it counts.

Boaz shows us that real hospitality is about more than just doing the bare minimum. It’s about going the extra mile, showing up when it’s inconvenient, and making sure the other person feels valued. It’s like when you offer to help someone move, but then actually show up with more than just a smile and a good vibe. Boaz’s hospitality is the full-on “I’m bringing the truck” level of commitment.

And then there’s the barley. That barley is more than just a snack for Ruth and Naomi. It’s Boaz’s way of saying, “I’m here for the long haul.” He’s not just handing out a quick favor; he’s offering a commitment, showing that he’s ready to provide for them. Boaz isn’t just sending Ruth home with some food; he’s sending a message that he’s invested in their futures. If Naomi thought Ruth needed security before, she’s getting it now.

Boaz teaches us that true hospitality isn’t a one-time deal. It’s about showing up with consistency, even when the person doesn’t know what they need yet. It’s like when you know a friend’s having a rough time and instead of offering the standard “let me know if you need anything,” you show up with a bag of snacks, a funny movie, and an entire afternoon’s worth of listening. It’s commitment that goes beyond the moment; it’s about being there for the long run.

In Ruth 3, hospitality isn’t a passive thing. It’s an active risk. Naomi risks guiding Ruth into the unknown. Ruth risks asking for help, knowing that rejection is on the table. Boaz risks stepping into a responsibility that’s more than just a “yes” or “no.” Each of them takes a leap, and in doing so, they create a bond of generosity, protection, and care that transforms their lives.

This story reminds us that hospitality isn’t always easy. Sometimes it means stepping out of our comfort zone, asking for help, and showing up when it’s inconvenient. But when we do, we create deeper connections and long-lasting relationships. It’s not just about food or shelter; it’s about showing up with everything we’ve got, even when it’s risky. So, let’s take a page out of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz’s book and make hospitality something we do with all our heart, even if it means taking a few risks along the way.

Hospitality isn’t just about opening doors; sometimes, it’s about standing in the gap when no one else will or can. It’s about choosing what’s right over what’s easy, even when it comes at a cost. There are times that you could have played it safe, avoided conflict, and let someone else deal with the problem. But instead, stepped into the tension, knowing full well the pain it could create. However, in doing so, show real hospitality. It isn’t just about making people comfortable, it’s about making sure no one is left out of the table God has set. And sometimes, that means taking a risk. Because in the end, the question isn’t just who are we welcoming? but what are we willing to risk so that others know they belong?

Stay Salty Friends