Proverbs 14:4
"Where no oxen are, the manger is clean,
but much revenue comes by the strength of the ox"
This is a very interesting proverb because it states that simplicity is not the way to go. If one wants to grow something and increase a revenue stream, then one has to have things get more complicated. Oxen are messy, but they increase the ability to generate income.
There will always be those who, like Thoreau, will believe that the wisest path is to go back to nature and be simple and have no complexity at all. That does not work for all. In fact, it only works for a very few.
It is not ungodly to have the complexities of business and employees. In fact, it is wise; but if one allows that complexity to take one away from a walk with God and time with the family, then the complexity is not helpful. A growing business is supposed to provide for family, not rob one of time with the family.
Think about all that is involved in having an ox. There is feeding the ox, there is cleaning up after the ox, there is housing the ox, there are potential diseases, there is equipment to make the ox work effectively, and there is caring for the ox. All this happens when one wants to expand their business model. But there is great strength in the ox. By the way, this proverb would imply that one should make sure that the strength gained by the ox is many times greater than the strength expended to have the ox.
There is a clear need to move into staff and equipment and complexity and clutter and problems in order to grow a revenue stream that will sustain a family and others.
It is easy to handle yourself, but you must handle more than yourself and grow something if you are going to have a business that really goes anywhere.
Until tomorrow,
Gil Stieglitz