6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded her. 7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came secretly, and uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and [d]bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet. 9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a [e]close relative.” 10 Then he said, “May you be blessed of the Lord, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you [f]ask, for all my people in the [g]city know that you are a woman of excellence. 12 Now it is true I am a [h]close relative; however, there is a [i]relative closer than I. 13 Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will [j]redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to [k]redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning.”
There’s just no substitute for a good reputation. Guard your actions and words, strive every day to build your reputation. Not with false pretense, but with genuine integrity.
And when it really counts, people will say of you “people in the city know you are a woman (or man) of excellence.” King Solomon (a descendant of Ruth and Boaz), the wisest man to ever live, would later say that a good reputation was better than being filthy stinking rich.
Ruth had a reputation, a good one, and it all came home when she put future on the line and proposed to Boaz (in case you didn’t catch what was happening in this story). Building a good reputation isn’t easy, it’s the road less traveled, especially in these days. But it is worth it, and you can trust God to help you, if you are following His plan for your life.