Praise God for Ox Chips!
We grew up calling them cow chips. You know what they are. It goes in as grass, comes out as manure, and once dried becomes a “chip.”
Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of an ox. (Proverbs 14:4)
This is one of the most important verses in scripture about setting priorities in every aspect of life.
Consider the ancient farmer who plows his field under human power alone. He saves up his money to buy an ox and prepares a place in the barn. The ox will allow him to plow his field ten times faster. But after a few weeks, the barn stinks. He cleans up the mess and begins to resent the unpleasant task of barn cleaning. Eventually, he gets rid of the ox because he hates cleaning the barn. He gives up ten times the harvest to avoid unpleasantness and inconvenience. How short-sighted!
This verse is about three key ideas—keeping your eye on the big goal, evaluating the effectiveness of a tool, and appreciating the value of a tool despite its inconveniences. We must keep these things in mind as we approach all areas of life.
What is our big goal?
For believers, our goal is to glorify God in everything we do (1 Corinthians 10:31). For the Church it is to carry out the Great Commission in a way that is pleasing to God and brings Him glory (Matthew 28:19-20). We must evaluate every tool, blessing, event, program, activity, and choice in the light of that goal. This is what Paul talked about when he commanded the church at Thessalonica to prove all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). It is incredibly easy to get our eyes off of the true prize.
Tools and blessings
Now please do not get hung up on the use of the word tool. To the ancients, an ox was a tool, not a pet. It was a tractor to the farmer. The right tool for a job makes it so much easier, takes so much less time, and usually produces a much better result.
This verse can apply to beneficial blessings as well—like children and spouses. They are a blessing given to us by God not only for our joy but also as companions and stewardship by which we glorify Him.
While this does not apply to spouses and children, this principle can be applied to ministry choices. In ministry, we need to evaluate the tools we use. We don’t keep the ox just because we like him and he reminds us of our early days. His value is not in sentimentality but in usefulness. There are times when it is appropriate to upgrade from an ox to a tractor, just like it was appropriate at one time to upgrade from a shovel to an ox.
The problem of inconvenience
For most people, shoveling manure is not fun. Neither is picking up toys after kids, washing a husband’s clothes, or learning to use a new piece of tech. Many people long for order and control in life and will trade end goals for present convenience. This is a trap. Effectiveness is sometimes messy and we have to be ok with that.
We need to constantly go through this little exercise of restating this verse for the circumstances we face. It looks sound like this:
Where there is no car, the garage stays free of oil drops, but without the car it is a long walk to work.
Where there are no children, the house stays clean, but children are a precious stewardship from the Lord.
Where there is no husband, the toilet seat stays down, but love, protection, and leadership come by the strength of the husband.
Where there is no new technology, I don’t have to learn anything new, but ministry is multiplied through the wise use of technology.
Where there are no new believers, church members do not have nearly as much baggage, but the power of God is remarkably manifested in the transformed lives of Christian converts.
Where there is no Christian School, the church stays clean and the pastor’s job is easier, but many lives are positively impacted by Christian education.
You get the idea. So, instead of grumbling while I shovel manure, I should instead be rejoicing and thanking God that I own an ox.