Proverbs 14:4 - The Mess of Productivity

Proverbs 14:4
Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, but much revenue (abundant crops) by the strength of the ox.

Message:  The Mess of Productivity

Time: King Solomon is the principal writer of Proverbs. Solomon's proverbs were penned around 900 B.C. In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon reveals the mind of God in matters high and lofty and in common, ordinary, everyday situations, too. It appears that no topic escaped King Solomon's attention. Matters pertaining to personal conduct, sexual relations, business, wealth, charity, ambition, discipline, debt, child-rearing, character, alcohol, politics, revenge, and godliness are among the many topics covered in this rich collection of wise sayings.

What the Lord is Saying: There are multiple messages in this passage, but the central one is that productivity is messy. Much revenue comes from the strength of an ox. An ox was a key component of agriculture, especially during times when there wasn't automated equipment. An ox can do more than a person. It is a hard working, large animal. But, it also must be fed and cared for. It is an animal that can be messy. So, if you desire cleanliness and always keeping things clean and never making a mess, then you will have to accept sometimes not being very productive. There is nothing wrong with keeping things clean but its okay to let things get messy as well. Do we try to find ways to be productive without being messy. That seems to be the message here. Harvesting is a long-term result or consequence and for that, we may have to experience temporary disarray.

I think there is also a word here toward animals and their usefulness which often gets lost now in our technologically savvy way of the land.  

Promise: The issue here to me is trusting the process. God has provided animals to help us succeed. And this help may be messy and that may be hard for people that like things to be clean. But, we must be willing to sacrifice something that is important to us to yield a long-term benefit. 

Prayer: Lord, you are good. Your ways are right. Help me Lord to trust in your outcomes and realize what you have provided for me in this world to assist me. Help me, at times, to roll with the punches and not stare to quickly at the here and now, but to trust you for the outcomes that you have clearly set up. Thank you for overseeing all of life and providing me what I need