The Mule and The Ox

There once was a story told of a mule and an ox and a farmer that worked very hard every day in the field. One day the ox said to the mule, "Let's play sick tomorrow and not go to work." The mule said to the ox, "I can't do that because there is so much work to do." So the next day the ox played sick and the farmer pampered him by bringing him corn and hay before he went to work. That afternoon late when the farmer and the mule returned home the ox asked the mule, "How did it go?" "Fine," replied the mule. "We didn't get a lot accomplished because we were shorthanded." "Did the farmer say anything?" "No," replied the mule. "Then let's play sick again tomorrow," said the ox. "Oh, I can't do that," said the mule. "There is so much work that needs to be done." So the next day the ox played sick again and the farmer brought him plenty of hay and corn.

After a long hard day, the farmer and the mule came in from the field and the ox asked, "How did it go?" "Fine," said the mule. We worked hard and didn't seem to get a lot accomplished because we were shorthanded." "Did the farmer say anything?" asked the ox. "No, he didn't say anything to me, but he did stop and talk to the butcher!"

In much the same way, God has given us much to do. Matthew 25 says that each of us have talents and abilities, no matter who are and God expects us to use them. He has told us to keep His commandments and be obedient to Him. Paul writes in II Corinthians 5:10--"For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ: that everyone may recieve the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." The question is, are we really doing our part and all that God would have us to do?