ODM Daily Inspirational Devotional Messages Bible Verse and Prayers ODM
DCLM Daily Manna
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Blindness of Selfishness
KEY VERSE
“And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it” (Ruth 4:6).
Bible Reading:
Ruth 4:1-12 (KJV)
1 Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
3 And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s:
4 And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.
5 Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.
6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.
7 Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.
8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.
9 And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi.
10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.
11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:
12 And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.
MESSAGE
In 1912, as the RMS Titanic sank into icy waters, first-class passenger Benjamin Guggenheim helped women and children into lifeboats. Offered a seat, he refused. Instead, he changed into formal wear, saying, “We are dressed in our best and are prepared to go down like gentlemen.” His selflessness became a legacy. He perished, but his honour lived on.
In the text, a nameless kinsman declines his lawful opportunity to redeem his due and marry Ruth. “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance.” He feared the cost, knowing that the first son from that union would carry the name of the deceased, not his (Deuteronomy 25:5, 6). To protect his estate, he stepped aside.
He chose self over sacrifice, and in doing so, stepped out of the divine record. His name was erased from history. Boaz, however, accepted the duty. He embraced what looked like loss. And God engraved his name in glory. Ruth bore Obed, father of Jesse, father of David, forefather of Jesus Christ.
Selfishness always loses. It may preserve a name on earth, but it forfeits eternal honour. The nameless relative wanted to keep his legacy pure, but in trying to save it, he lost it. Boaz gained not just a wife, but also a place in prophecy. Beloved, how often do we shy away from what appears to “mar our inheritance”? We avoid sacrificial obedience because it seems costly. We withhold forgiveness, reject hard assignments, or decline kingdom duties because they do not serve our narrative. But heaven writes history through selfless hands. Your sacrifice may go unnoticed on earth, but eternity will echo your obedience. The path of Boaz is not always paved with applause, but it leads straight to Bethlehem, where the Saviour of the world emerged.
Do not let fear of personal loss rob you of divine honour. The selfish man saved his estate but missed destiny. Boaz gave his name, and God exalted it.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Sacrifice writes the names God remembers
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
James 1-5
COMMENTARY
1. The Nameless Kinsman’s Choice – The kinsman is introduced as “such a one”—nameless and forgotten. His refusal to redeem Ruth was driven by selfishness. He feared that redeeming Ruth would mar his own inheritance. In protecting his estate, he lost his place in God’s redemptive story.
2. Boaz’s Selfless Sacrifice – Boaz willingly accepted the duty of redemption. He embraced what appeared to be a personal loss. By giving his name to raise up the name of the dead, he gained a place in the lineage of Christ. His sacrifice brought eternal honour.
3. The Cost of Selfishness – Selfishness always loses in the end. The nameless relative preserved his earthly inheritance but forfeited eternal honour. Those who cling to their lives will lose them, but those who lose their lives for Christ’s sake will find them (Matthew 16:25).
4. Heaven Writes History Through Selfless Hands – The devotional reminds us that heaven honours those who sacrifice. Our sacrifices may go unnoticed on earth, but eternity will echo our obedience. The path of selflessness may not be paved with applause, but it leads to divine reward.
5. The DCLM Ministry’s Call to Sacrificial Living – The Deeper Christian Life Ministry emphasizes sacrificial living as a mark of true discipleship. Pastor Kumuyi teaches that believers must be willing to give up personal comfort and gain for the sake of God’s kingdom. The Daily Manna devotional calls readers to embrace sacrifice and trust God for eternal reward.
About DCLM and Daily Manna
The Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) was founded in 1973 by Pastor Dr. W.F. Kumuyi. From a small Bible study of 15 students in Lagos, it has grown into a global ministry with churches across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond. The ministry emphasizes holiness, prayer, Bible study, and sacrificial living.
DCLM Daily Manna is a daily devotional written by Pastor Kumuyi. Each edition provides Scripture reading, exposition, and practical application to guide believers in their daily walk with God. The devotional consistently calls readers to put others before themselves and to seek eternal honour.
Prayer Reflection
Lord, deliver me from the blindness of selfishness. Help me to embrace sacrifice for Your sake and for the good of others. Give me the heart of Boaz, who gave selflessly and received eternal honour. May I not miss destiny by clinging to personal gain. Teach me to trust You with my legacy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
