A Clean Manger

Submitted by Sam Nobles

Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. Proverbs 14:4 ESV

This odd proverb is basically telling us that a clean manger is nothing to brag about because a clean manger means there is no cattle in the barn. No messes, no mistakes, and no stink in a stable means no profit for the farmer.

Likewise there are people who want a clean manger so they never accept anything that challenges them, they never step out, and they never take a chance because they don’t want to fail, but as a wise man once said, “the fear of failure is the father of failure.” You will, if you haven’t already, fail at something in your life. Even if it is God called and God ordained, you will fail. Why? Because you’re not perfect - you won’t always do what is right. You won’t always say what needs to be said. Don't let this trouble you though. The fact that you are human does not disqualify you from trying something for the Lord.

You will Never have Profit without Some Messes

Messes will happen, but the messes are proof that you are trying and attempting to practically walk out your salvation. The messes are the lessons you learned where you once might have failed.
Step out and get dirty – learn some lessons. It could be the very thing God wants you to do to get your breakthrough. I’m convinced the Lord doesn’t want any of us sitting on the sidelines. I believe He wants each one of us to be prolific and productive in life. So, if a mess happens, so be it. You will profit even more in the long run when the manger is dirty.

Scripture to Claim:

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV