Day 19 – Having the right Equipment makes the difference.

Where no oxen are the crib is clean; But much INCREASE comes by the strength of an ox – Proverbs 14:4.

If you are a farmer tilling land for planting seeds, growing and harvesting crops you shouldn’t use just a shovel. You should get a plow and an ox. Better yet, if that is your source of revenue you should get a combine. When you get the right tools things might go much more smoothly.

Having the right tools can make all the difference in the world. Let me explain. One day I was cutting a couple trees on my grandmother’s property. It was a relatively easy chore. The only problem was my tools. I had an old, rickety ladder and some rusty, dull snips. What should have taken less than an hour took me hours? And I almost broke my neck falling off the weak, pathetic ladder that was standing unstable between the fence and the house. We don’t even want to talk about the frustration that came with the project.  I could have been way more productive, efficient and effective with the right tools.  

Abraham Lincoln said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” Wow! Wisdom is the principle thing!

Have you ever tried to clean fish with a dull knife? I bet in just a few moments you were getting frustrated. I have and I can tell you it’s not fun. It’s a mess. What we should do is look around and find a sharper knife or go buy one. If we listen to wisdom, it might save us an injury, time, and peace of mind.

I’m reminded of some advice the Lord gave me: “Son, one of the most important things in your day is having the right tools. It will make all the difference in the world.”

And it’s so true. You can’t run a business with a 10 year old computer. You can’t do graphic design on the wrong program. You can’t haul dirt without a truck. You can’t learn to play guitar with a useless guitar. You can’t screw in a screw with a hammer. You can’t put in a window with only a sledge hammer.

The key to successful farming could be a combine. The key to trimming trees is having the right tools. The key to cleaning fish is having a good knife. Time and again, a task that would take days to accomplish with the wrong tools might only take hours to accomplish with the right tools.

Hear the sound of heaven; “Much INCREASE comes by the strength of an ox” – Proverbs 14:4.