Let the Ox Graze!

Deuteronomy 25:4 (HCSB)

"Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain."

This is another way of saying, "Do not deprive the laborer of his wages." Paul uses this in 1 Corinthians 9:9 and 1 Timothy 5:18.

Oxen were used to thresh out the grain, but they were allowed to graze as they worked.

We live in a society today where our leaders believe that one man should labor for the community, not himself. This "Robin Hood" fantasy is a facade. They talk about "leveling the playing field" or "sharing the wealth." This is the philosophy of communism.

They think a banker should not earn more than a basket-weaver, even though the banker has (probably, but not necessarily) considerably more education and a position of greater trust. This sounds like a sweetheart of a deal to the person who does not have a high-paying position. Shouldn't it? But it kills incentive in the marketplace.

We say, "What about that person who does not have the opportunity?"

Everyone has opportunity. Some have greater opportunity than others, but all have opportunity. The crux of the matter is choice. What choices do we make?

In our country we are doing everything we can to take away the consequences of bad choices.

So you were not born with a silver spoon in your mouth. Some of those who were are wrecks because of bad choices they made. Some who were not are now success stories because they made good choices.

"It's hard!"

Why is hard bad? Hard builds character. Hard helps us to appreciate what we have earned. Hard helps us to stand up when life throws us great difficulties. Hard makes us better people. Hard is good! There are some people who used to believe that. Jesus said, "Through many tribulations we enter the kingdom of God."

This country did not become great through communism. This country became great because we had the audacity to believe that God was right and His principles were the way to a prosperous economy.

Beware those who are trying to reengineer the very foundation of our society. The way to a more prosperous and thriving society is to follow the old rules, the rules of the Bible. Anything else will fail!!