Parable of the Ten Virgins

[LovebirdsFlying]

Thread inspired by a family discussion from yesterday.

I had seen the sentiment on the internet that Christians should share with the poor without question. Never mind how they got into that predicament, or if they would only use the money to make unhealthy choices. The attitude of, "This is mine, I earned it, and you can't have it," is not taught by Jesus in the Bible.

My gut reaction was, "Oh, yes it is. The Parable of the Ten Virgins." You may recall, five wise virgins brought extra oil with them, and five foolish virgins did not. When the lamps went out during the night, the foolish ones asked the wise ones to share their extra oil, only to be told, "Go get your own."

I then considered that from the point of view of the parable, these were ten virgins who all started out with the same opportunity. The five foolish virgins *could* have also brought extra oil with them, but by their own choice they did not, and that's why they missed out. This parable doesn't speak about people who never had the opportunity in the first place.

What do you take from this parable?

 

[Paidiske]

I don't think the point is about having or sharing (or not sharing) stuff. It's about the importance of looking ahead and preparing for what God is doing in our midst.

 

[Not me]

Thread inspired by a family discussion from yesterday.

I had seen the sentiment on the internet that Christians should share with the poor without question. Never mind how they got into that predicament, or if they would only use the money to make unhealthy choices. The attitude of, "This is mine, I earned it, and you can't have it," is not taught by Jesus in the Bible.

My gut reaction was, "Oh, yes it is. The Parable of the Ten Virgins." You may recall, five wise virgins brought extra oil with them, and five foolish virgins did not. When the lamps went out during the night, the foolish ones asked the wise ones to share their extra oil, only to be told, "Go get your own."

I then considered that from the point of view of the parable, these were ten virgins who all started out with the same opportunity. The five foolish virgins *could* have also brought extra oil with them, but by their own choice they did not, and that's why they missed out. This parable doesn't speak about people who never had the opportunity in the first place.

What do you take from this parable?

I think you are on point. God is fair and just, meaning that each person shall reap the consequences of their actions, whether they are good or bad. If you have made bad decisions all your life, you are not entitled to reap the consequences and sweat and the fruit from the labor of someone who did make good decision all their life. This parable tell you to go make your own good decisions and reap your own fruit.

For scripture says;

“God is not mocked whatsoever a man sows, that shall that man reap”

Meaning, whether they be good or bad.

Blessings

Much love in Christ, Not me

 

[DaveM]

Luke 6:30
Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.

could it be the oil was more about the foolish not being ready for Christ return and it was far to late for them when they tried to get ready by getting more oil from those that had prepared. could it be the importance on preparing for Christ return and dont let anyone distract you or take away from your faith of him returning

 

[ewq1938]

Luke 6:30
Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.

That can easily be understood as specific to the disciples and their ministries as they would be going out and spreading the gospel.

 

[EzekielsWheels]

Thread inspired by a family discussion from yesterday.

I had seen the sentiment on the internet that Christians should share with the poor without question. Never mind how they got into that predicament, or if they would only use the money to make unhealthy choices. The attitude of, "This is mine, I earned it, and you can't have it," is not taught by Jesus in the Bible.

My gut reaction was, "Oh, yes it is. The Parable of the Ten Virgins." You may recall, five wise virgins brought extra oil with them, and five foolish virgins did not. When the lamps went out during the night, the foolish ones asked the wise ones to share their extra oil, only to be told, "Go get your own."

I then considered that from the point of view of the parable, these were ten virgins who all started out with the same opportunity. The five foolish virgins *could* have also brought extra oil with them, but by their own choice they did not, and that's why they missed out. This parable doesn't speak about people who never had the opportunity in the first place.

What do you take from this parable?

Does anyone read this parable as promoting the importance (maybe even necessity) of works? I personally think we need faith demonstrated by works so I wouldn't say it is contrary to that.

 

[Not me]

Luke 6:30
Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.

I am starting to think that scripture like this, and those like it, are all meant as examples of doing and practicing righteousness.

(Food for thought. Working through things in Christ??)

Blessings;

Much love in Christ, Not me

 

[Not me]

Does anyone read this parable as promoting the importance (maybe even necessity) of works? I personally think we need faith demonstrated by works so I wouldn't say it is contrary to that.

Yes, I think that is, and what is meant to be portrayed by the parable.

I think your understanding is correct; true faith produces works.

Case in point;

The thief on the cross. His faith caused Him to turn to Christ, and ask to be remembered when Christ came into His kingdom. That faith, and the action or work that faith produced, save that man.

(My thinks)

Blessings

Much love in Christ, Not me

 

[Residential Bob]

Luke 6:30
Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.

could it be the oil was more about the foolish not being ready for Christ return and it was far to late for them when they tried to get ready by getting more oil from those that had prepared. could it be the importance on preparing for Christ return and dont let anyone distract you or take away from your faith of him returning

This is close, I think. The ten virgins were the kingdom of heaven before Christ returned in it. Some were not prepared for Christ's return in it; others were.

 

[miknik5]

Thread inspired by a family discussion from yesterday.

I had seen the sentiment on the internet that Christians should share with the poor without question. Never mind how they got into that predicament, or if they would only use the money to make unhealthy choices. The attitude of, "This is mine, I earned it, and you can't have it," is not taught by Jesus in the Bible.

My gut reaction was, "Oh, yes it is. The Parable of the Ten Virgins." You may recall, five wise virgins brought extra oil with them, and five foolish virgins did not. When the lamps went out during the night, the foolish ones asked the wise ones to share their extra oil, only to be told, "Go get your own."

I then considered that from the point of view of the parable, these were ten virgins who all started out with the same opportunity. The five foolish virgins *could* have also brought extra oil with them, but by their own choice they did not, and that's why they missed out. This parable doesn't speak about people who never had the opportunity in the first place.

What do you take from this parable?

The attitude of the hearts of the wise virgins was different from the attitude of the hearts of the foolish virgins

 

[Tigger45]

At verse Matthew 25:9 the wise virgins tell the foolish ones to go and ‘buy’ their own oil so the parable isn’t about those in need of something they are unable to acquire themselves but about preparedness. I think what is important is what does the ‘oil’ represent and how do they/we aquire it in real world terms.

 

[ewq1938]

The parable ends at the timeframe of the second coming so prior to that "buying and selling" can only happen if one has the mark of the beast so the foolish ones represent those who have the mark and Christ knows them not. Reminds me of this as well:

Luk 17:34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

compare to this:

Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

One is worthy, one is not. It's the same ones in both examples...same order as well.

 

[A_Thinker]

Luke 6:30
Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.

That can easily be understood as specific to the disciples and their ministries as they would be going out and spreading the gospel.

This is part of the Sermon on the Mount (i.e. not just directed to the disciples) ...

 

[ewq1938]

This is part of the Sermon on the Mount (i.e. not just directed to the disciples) ...

Doesn't mean he didn't address some things to the disciples that wouldn't apply to anyone else.

Luk 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

 

[miknik5]

At verse Matthew 25:9 the wise virgins tell the foolish ones to go and ‘buy’ their own oil so the parable isn’t about those in need of something they are unable to acquire themselves but about preparedness. I think what is important is what does the ‘oil’ represent and how do they/we aquire it in real world terms.

Through prayer and remaining close to our beloved

 

[LovebirdsFlying]

What I'm seeing so far is that the parable is not so much about giving to those in need, but about being prepared for the coming of the Lord's Kingdom. Am I getting it?

I suppose any discussion on when to give to those in need, and when not to, is for another post.

 

[Residential Bob]

What I'm seeing so far is that the parable is not so much about giving to those in need, but about being prepared for the coming of the Lord's Kingdom. Am I getting it?

I suppose any discussion on when to give to those in need, and when not to, is for another post.

To be more specific, the ten virgins are the kingdom (Mt 25:1); they're the church. Some believers would be prepared to see the Lord coming in his kingdom; some would not. That is, some saw him come in his church; some did not.

 

[miknik5]

What I'm seeing so far is that the parable is not so much about giving to those in need, but about being prepared for the coming of the Lord's Kingdom. Am I getting it?

I suppose any discussion on when to give to those in need, and when not to, is for another post.

But see that’s just it
At the last hour there will be turmoil and terror

Giving to those in need (physically) is a picture of the true Christian even during these troubling times

Read James and how if you say you are (so spiritual) if you pray for others turning them away during their need saying I pray for you yet do not supply the physical needs of those who ask, how can you declare yourself to be so spiritual


During this time, it will be made manifest those who declared the Name of Christ only outwardly ( who simply did lip service to Him from those who inwardly and upon the heart knew who and what they worship

These people worship me with their mouths but their hearts are far from me


A “virgin” who has to frantically prepare themselves st the last hour for their “beloved” already makes manifest that their heart was elsewhere

 

[miknik5]

To be more specific, the ten virgins are the kingdom (Mt 25:1); they're the church. Some believers would be prepared to see the Lord coming in his kingdom; some would not. That is, some saw him come in his church; some did not.

It’s not indicative of what we see
It’s indicstive of what He sees

HE entered into His kingdom
We will either be able to enter in or the Door will be closed and we will not be able to enter in

In revelation it says blessed are those who die IN The Lord from now on...and The Spirit says, their works shall proceed them


There will come a time when by what they do to the very least of their brothers during the time of great tribulation when He who holds all things back is taken out of the way (temporarily) that these will be made manifest by their deeds

 

[prodromos]

Thread inspired by a family discussion from yesterday.

I had seen the sentiment on the internet that Christians should share with the poor without question. Never mind how they got into that predicament, or if they would only use the money to make unhealthy choices. The attitude of, "This is mine, I earned it, and you can't have it," is not taught by Jesus in the Bible.

My gut reaction was, "Oh, yes it is. The Parable of the Ten Virgins." You may recall, five wise virgins brought extra oil with them, and five foolish virgins did not. When the lamps went out during the night, the foolish ones asked the wise ones to share their extra oil, only to be told, "Go get your own."

I then considered that from the point of view of the parable, these were ten virgins who all started out with the same opportunity. The five foolish virgins *could* have also brought extra oil with them, but by their own choice they did not, and that's why they missed out. This parable doesn't speak about people who never had the opportunity in the first place.

What do you take from this parable?

The Church Fathers understand the oil to represent the good works they have done in the Lord. When they "fell asleep" refers to their death, after which they "awoke" for the judgement. Christ told three parables here to drive the same point home, the ten virgins, the talents and the sheep and the goats. They need to be understood together.