Proverbs 14:4: Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of an ox.
Insight
This has a tremendous spiritual lesson for us. Sometimes we try to solve problems in the church and try to clean up divisions in the church by throwing out the ox. Often there is a group or clique in the church, busy as termites and with about the same result, who want to get rid of those people who insist on having Bible teaching in the church. They are going to clean the crib, they think, so they throw out the ox. I believe this has happened to church after church in our country. After a while it becomes evident that it was the oxen who pulled the plow. They were the ones who contributed financially; they were the ones who sent out the missionaries; they were the ones who paid the bills. So before one tries to do any cleaning, it is very important to find out who are the oxen in the Lord’s work. 1
Application
God’s people are called sheep, but have you ever thought of yourself as an ox? An ox is a like a power-tool or a tractor-pull. Every fruitful farmer will have them. They are dependable and faithful and can do the work of several people. If you want to be in control of everything, then you will get rid of your ox and have a clean stable and then eventually you will be bankrupt. Please guard your opinion of ministry and ministers.
Motivation
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Matthew 23:25
Being neat and tidy does not mean you are Spirit-filled and fruitful. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Father, thank You for the fellow-oxen that serve with me in ministry.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: Poetry (Proverbs) (electronic ed., Vol. 20, p. 127). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
