Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you.  But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives...  (Ruth 3:13)

I believe that we all have an obligation to see that our youth are loved and given a  chance to be successful when they become adults.  In order for that to happen, we must leave our comfort zones and pay the cost of providing for them.  In doing so, we become kinsman redeemers.

To redeem is to regain possession by paying a price.  A kinsman is related or connected to another person.  In the passage above, Boaz was a kinsman of Ruth's deceased husband.  Although there was a relative that was closer to her than he was, Boaz decided to do the right thing and redeem Ruth.  Redemption cost something.  Boaz would provide property and material wealth to Ruth and Naomi.  He would also marry Ruth and the lineage of David and Jesus would come through that union.  Ruth was the great grandmother of David.  Even though there was a kinsman relation between Ruth's deceased husband, and Boaz, Ruth was a Moabitess.  Her people were not liked by the Jews.  But Boaz did not let that get in the way of being a Kinsman Redeemer.  Neither should we allow our differences keep us from helping one another.

As Christians, we should feel an obligation to help one another who may need a helping hand.  Our kinship may be by blood; or it may be by race; or it may be by economic circumstances.  Whatever, the case, we all have something in common.  When we help others, it cost us something.  It cost us our time, our energy, and sometimes our finances.  But that is what makes us redeemers.  How many young people can we help stay off of drugs, or going to jail, or dropping out of school, if we just take the time to invest in them.  It will cost us, but it will help them.  I hope all of us will decide, that we will become "Kinsman Redeemers."