“Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, But much revenue [because of good crops] comes by the strength of the ox.”

Proverbs 14:4 AMP

Today, King Solomon gives us a good picture of the benefits of hard work. He begins with an interesting scene of raising oxen. Many have never had the privilege of experiencing the sweet fragrance of oxen excrement! I keenly remember the smell of the milk farms and pig sloops on farms I visited as a child and teen. I can almost still smell that fragrant aroma! Life has become so sterile in the past years that many are afraid even to take out their own garbage! I remember putting on the tall boots and gloves and having to clean out the stalls. Not a very fun experience but it needed to be done!  

Our verse reminds us that it takes work and care of the animal in order to reap its benefits to our commerce! We could never strap on the plow and furrow the land ourselves as we do not have the strength of oxen. We do however have the strength and ability to care and prepare the oxen to do its work! If one wants to prosper in their work, they need to work! This generation has a “give it to me now because I deserve it” attitude which is undermining the very thing they are trying to accomplish, independence! I love the saying, “nothing will work unless you do!” If the manger is clean and empty, it might look good but ultimately it will not produce anything. If the manger needs shoveled out, there is a great potential for a harvest if you are willing to put in your work! Man was designed to work as modeled by his Creator. Even in the Garden of Eden man had responsibility to care for the garden.

“So the LORD God took the man [He had made] and settled him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it”

Genesis 2:15 AMP

The Hebrew word there for cultivate is the word meaning to “give considerable energy and intensity to give aid or servantship.” The Hebrew word for keep means to “cause a state or condition to continue to exist or protect to or from the object being guarded.” Work was an enjoyable experience that brought with it the satisfaction of accomplishment. The problem is now that sin has brought the ill-effects of work upon man! 

“Then to Adam the LORD God said, “Because you have listened [attentively] to the voice of your wife, and have eaten [fruit] from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’;  The ground is [now] under a curse because of you; In sorrow and toil you shall eat [the fruit] of it All the days of your life. 18“Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you shall eat the plants of the field. 19“By the sweat of your face You will eat bread Until you return to the ground, For from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.”

Genesis 3:17*19 AMP

That isn’t to say that we are totally responsible for success. God has given us the formula for success in our lives both spiritually and physically.

““Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool. 19“If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the best of the land;” 

Isaiah 1:18-198 AMP

Many of the promises of God are conditional. They are accessed and experienced by an action and a reaction. Even Salvation, which is free to us had a condition, the death of Christ! Our lesson today is very practical and needed for this generation, nothing comes for free! If you want to prosper in this life you must be willing to put in the work. I have seen it time and time again in youth ministry. Youth who were willing to do the hard thing and honored God, God promoted and blessed them tremendously! Work isn’t fun! That’s why they call it work! If you are willing to do your part, you can’t begin to imagine what God can do for and through you! Have a productive day! Pastor Ken