“Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of an ox” (Proverbs 14:4).
Life has exchanges.
If a farmer in Solomon’s day wanted to maximize the potential of his fields while minimizing the amount of physical labor he would have to personally invest, he would be wise to consider purchasing an ox or team of oxen to accomplish his goal. But, if he was not willing to feed and care for his ox(en) because he did not want the hassle of animal husbandry, he should not make the purchase.
There may be an occasion in life in which you can “Have your cake and eat it too”, but this is rare. Usually, you have the choice of one or the other. Like the farmer in this proverb, you have a clean trough with no oxen or the care and keeping of an ox with the potential benefits of its strength and durability. But you cannot have the blessing of an ox and a clean trough.
Life has exchanges.
