Pro 14:4 | MHM | STEP | The Value of Hard Work and Useful Resources This section teaches the importance of hard work and using what we have wisely. It shows that avoiding work or only caring about neatness can lead to poverty, while effort and wise use of resources bring reward. v. 4 : If a farmer does not have oxen to work the land, then the crib is clean . There is no mess to clean up, but there is also no food or harvest. Some people want everything to be tidy and easy, so they avoid hard work or sell their oxen just to keep things neat. But then they have nothing to eat, because, as the Bible says, scarcity is represented by cleanness of teeth (Amos 4:6 ). On the other hand, those who are willing to do the hard work—who keep oxen and use them for plowing—will see much reward. Much increase is by the strength of the ox (Proverbs 14:4 ). It is better to have useful resources, even if they make work harder, because they help bring success and plenty.

‏ Proverbs 14:4

The Value of Hard Work and Useful Resources

This section teaches the importance of hard work and using what we have wisely. It shows that avoiding work or only caring about neatness can lead to poverty, while effort and wise use of resources bring reward.

v. 4: If a farmer does not have oxen to work the land, then the crib is clean . There is no mess to clean up, but there is also no food or harvest. Some people want everything to be tidy and easy, so they avoid hard work or sell their oxen just to keep things neat. But then they have nothing to eat, because, as the Bible says, scarcity is represented by cleanness of teeth (Amos 4:6 ^a). On the other hand, those who are willing to do the hard work—who keep oxen and use them for plowing—will see much reward. Much increase is by the strength of the ox (Proverbs 14:4 ^b). It is better to have useful resources, even if they make work harder, because they help bring success and plenty.