Forward Planning

I love the expression “forward planning,” or “planning for the future.” What other kind of planning could there be?

“Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox” (Proverbs 14:4, ESV).

Once a missionary decided to speak to an African friend about the number of cattle he had on his land. He explained that the overgrazed land was a direct result of his running too many cattle on too little land.

He pointed to a couple of oxen and declared: “You could slaughter those oxen over there and have many meals from them.”

The African farmer looked him straight in the eye and asked: “Would you eat your tractor?”

It might seem that getting rid of oxen would save money, but this was a false economy. The strength of the ox would provide many more meals alive than he would dead.

In a day of easy credit and instant gratification, it’s as well to remember that planning, management and living within one’s means is still the best way to provide for your loved ones. An “abundant harvest” comes from attentive planning.

by Stan Mitchell @ www.forthright.net