Every Leader Needs Oxen

The Bible is the greatest leadership book ever written.  By applying the timeless principles supplied in Scripture, you can revolutionize the way you lead and serve others.  The lessons you will learn in this post can not only change your life, but it can changes the lives of others as well.
Joseph Sangl, the founder of I Was Broke. Now I’m Not. shares a lesson from God’s Word which transformed his leadership.  Check out his thoughts.  It can transform your leadership as well.
Proverbs 14:4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty; but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.
Read the verse above.
Now, read it again while asking yourself these two questions:

1. What are the two potential outcomes?
2. What makes the difference between the two potential outcomes?

This verse contains great wisdom for any leader.  We can either end up with one of two outcomes: (1) an “empty manger” or (2) an “abundant harvest.”  And the difference-maker?  Oxen.
Do you see it?  Where there are no oxen – empty manger.  But from the strength of an ox?  An abundance!
This is obvious to a farmer.  Farmers know they must have the help of an ox (modern day ox = John Deere tractor) to have any hope of an abundant harvest.  A few minutes spent with only a hoe and rake proves to the farmer his need for oxen.  The farmer provides guidance.  The oxen do the work.
Many leaders could learn from this example!  These leaders are attempting to obtain an abundant harvest in their field of work, but they are attempting to do it alone without the strength and power of oxen.  The most powerful oxen any leader can have are strong leaders aligned with vision and are willingly yoked together to move it forward.
The same principle holds true in your personal finances!  You may have enough to eat by relying solely on the work of your two hands, but you will never achieve anything that resembles an abundance.  By employing financial oxen (small business, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, and other investments), you employ strength that will carry a financial load you could never carry on your own!
Maybe today is the day you gather your leaders together and tell them that they are oxen – and it is time to MOOOOOOVE forward!
And maybe it is time to get some financial oxen working for you too.  The book, Oxen: The Key To An Abundant Harvest can help you identify and employ financial oxen so you can begin to experience an abundance!
About Joseph Sangl
Joseph Sangl is the founder of I Was Broke. Now I’m Not. and the President/CEO of INJOY Stewardship Solutions. He is passionate about helping leaders accomplish far more than they ever thought possible with their personal finances.