Not Always Easy

Proverbs 14

As we continue to read through Proverbs we can see the different themes that are brought up, some are ones repeated such as not being lazy, watching our mouths, and listening to wisdom. In verse 4 we read, “Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the oxen.” This verse caught my attention because it is different than the other ones and also it was funny to think about.  When there is no oxen in the manger to mess it up of course it will be clean but if you do not have the oxen you can not plow the field and make money.

We in America of the take it easy approach and want the get rich quick idea. The thought of hard work has gone out the window. It is a mere thought in some traditional people. What Solomon was saying was that in order for you to make it, you need to be willing to have a little “pasture patties” or “Buffalo Chip” or scrape your elbow, take a chance in this life. Work hard and you will see the fruit of the work.

Do Something for God

Looking at this, we need to look at it in a spiritual way, we can not be afraid to step out and do something for the Lord. If we are too worried about failing we are n0t trusting the Holy Spirit. When D.L. Moody was first starting out in ministry he was doing something that no one else was doing in Chicago. He was going to the poor parts of the city that no one else would go to and would invest in the lives of the kids. He would hold Sunday school every week and encourage them to grow in their faith. He was ridiculed for it, people told him he was wasting his time, or that he was crazy. The truth was God was behind it every step of the way and D.L. Moody took a step of faith and trusted in the Lord. He wanted to serve God and do ministry. He did not wait for ministry to come to him. It is the small things that matter.  He did not care that his manger was clean because he needed the oxen to harvest the field. The same good have been said about David as he faced Goliath or Gideon and his 300 men.

We need to take a step of faith. That is what we see with these men and women in the Bible. They worked hard, did not take the easy rode and God used them mightily for his kingdom. Sure it was not always easy, it was tough but you can not fear getting dirty. Instead we should be motivated to work harder for the kingdom of God as God will show himself in a mighty way. People will not always understand but when you are seeking God and obeying him, that is all that matters. When you live like this you are not afraid to try something new, you are not afraid to speak boldly, and you seek Christ in all.