A Clean Crib or A Messy Oxen?

Verse four presents but two options: a clean crib or the presence of an oxen. Both have their own benefits & drawbacks. The benefit of a clean crib is convenience, but an oxen can provide food for the table & money in the bank. The benefits of the oxen are great, but then so are the messes. A church is like the crib: it can be clean or messy. The blessings of God, like the ox, are the strength of the church, but be prepared for some messes to accompany the blessings.