Matthew 25:1–6 (ESV) — 1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’
NOTE: This is a parable and is not to be read literally. The foolishness of five of the bridesmaid is that they were not prepared for a long wait for the bridegroom. In Jewish culture, the bridegroom fetches the bride when the father says it is time -- when the house is completed. Five assumed the groom would come quickly, five were prepared for a long wait, but also went out to meet him. I believe Jesus' coming is soon, but I also believe that it could take longer. I must be prudent. I must prepare for retirement. I must take care of my family and other responsibilities God has given me. I don't want to be a burden on them or on society. Jesus could come tomorrow and all that I have gathered won't matter, but if he does not come as soon as I hope, I am prepared to continue in ministry until he comes.
PONDER:
- Have I prepared for retirement?
- Even more importantly, have I prepared to minister in my retirement?
- Or will I be a burden to the church and my family because I lived for my pleasure during life and did not save for retirement?
PRAYER: Father, I pray we would be prudent as believers to prepare for any day that you might come. I pray we would be ministering to others even in our retirement days. I know this requires self-control to say no to our fleshly desires in order to save for the future. Give us strength to make the right decisions.
No comments:
Post a Comment