DON’T MUZZLE AN OX!

By Margaret Morenike Doherty-Aka

1st Timothy 5:18 For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward [also see Deut. 25:4 & 1st Cor. 9:9-11]

A SONG IN THE YORUBA LANGUAGE: Iya fi kobo kan s’ile f’owo obe (a woman leaves me a penny for groceries), Oni kin se’be, kin ro’ka funle (she instructs me to cook soup as well as other food items), Iyan di koko! Fufu gan! Amala si yo gege! (The pounded yam had lumps in it! The “fufu” became hard, and the cocoyam flour “amala” also had issues!)

Friends, the above-illustrated song in the Yoruba language is one I have known since I was a little child. A woman leaves her maid a penny with unrealistic expectations to put it mildly. She left instructions for this maid to STRETCH the penny and cook several meals with it! At the end of the day all hell broke loose and everything that could go wrong WENT WRONG! There’s a saying that “give the devil an inch and he’ll take a mile”.

Beloved, the statement “Don’t Muzzle an Ox” simply means that those working hard to produce ought rightly to share in the benefits of their production. I have a few words of wisdom for both the “ox-muzzlers” as well as the ox so fasten your seatbelts as I’m about to drive home my two cents.

TO THE OX-MUZZLERS

A symbiotic relationship is one in which BOTH parties benefit from one another. A parasitic relationship is one in which one party receives and the other gives and gives and GIVES! Do not underestimate the ox and do not take him for a ride. He may be meek but he is not stupid. He knows more than he says. He thinks more than he speaks and certainly he notices more than you realize. An ox who feels appreciated will always do more than what he is expected. Give credit when it is due. It costs $0.00 to do so!

TO THE OX

Many expects things from you and EXPECT THEM FOR FREE as if they are entitled to it and you do not have better things to do with your time. Word of advice: Do not let your loyalty to become slavery. Know when to say “NO” and do not compromise on self-respect. Always keep in mind that it is not a crime to say “NO”! Don’t ever feel bad for making a decision about “YOUR” life that upsets other people. Anyone who expects you to live in misery for their benefit shouldn’t be in your life to begin with.

IN CONCLUSION

I hope I this message has not ruffled any feathers. God is not a respecter of persons (Rom. 2:11; Acts 10:34; James 2:1). Another version says “God shows no favoritism or partiality”. With Him there is neither Jew nor Greek (Gal. 3:28). We ought to be fair in everything we do. The bible tells us in Colossians 4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. (also see Ephesians 6:9).

I pray in the mighty name of Jesus that workers in God’s vineyard will serve as unto the Lord and not with eye service and that leaders will be fair and not show partiality or favoritism knowing that they also have a master in heaven. I pray in the mighty name of Jesus that people will be generous in giving credit when it is due and communicate to those who teach us in all good things (Gal. 6:6). Remain blessed in the awesome name of Jesus!

This message was an excerpt from an inspirational ebook titled “In His Vineyard”. For more inspirational messages by this writer search for “Ebooks By Margaret Morenike Doherty”!!!