Unity in Diversity in Community

Unity in Diversity in Community

Proverbs 14:4 ESV

4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

“Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,...”

“I hate people.”

People make things messy.

This proverb is an Metaphor

We are the Oxen.

Irritable, fat headed, & messy

Manger (feeding trough) = the local church

Without oxen the manger is clean!

Without oxen - there is less work

You got to feed the oxen

You’ve got deal deal with the oxen’s … mess.

Other Examples: (just to make it real)

The wayward oxen.

The unmovable oxen.

The oxen who don’t work well together.

Without oxen we can focus on other things!

However, a pristine manger isn’t our mission.

Our mission is an abundant harvest

or at least it should be.

Proverbs 14:4 ESV

4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

“…abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.”

If you want an abundant harvest

YOU NEED TO OXEN!

We need each other.

Wisdom says we should actually be thankful for the oxen among us.