The parable of the wise and foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) illustrates the importance of being ready when Jesus returns. In an immediate sense, it shows us the importance of wise behavior and the consequences of foolish behavior. A number of parables illustrate points much like this same one, often in connection with eschatological themes. Why is such important when we think about our relationship with God? Why is wisdom important – especially in light of foolish behavior?
Words on the 50/50 Kingdom of God
THEN THE kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish (thoughtless, without forethought) and five were wise (sensible, intelligent, and prudent). (Matthew 25:1-2, AMPC)
The first thing we should note is that this passage establishes it’s about the Kingdom of God, those who follow Him. The wise and foolish virgins are the focus. This parable isn’t speaking of the world, but the church. Thus, when reading it, we need to hear it speaking not generally, but specifically to us. The second thing we can note is that there are both wise and foolish people in God’s Kingdom. This passage proves the numbers are about half and half: half are wise, and half are foolish. Sobering as this is, it’s probably not that far off the mark.
Why foolishness?
This does beg the question, however: why are there foolish people in the Kingdom? If the Bible exalts wisdom, why would God tolerate foolishness?There are four possible answers to this question (and probably more yet to glean from it):
- Salvation isn’t based on our personal level of wisdom. There are many wise people throughout history who over-relied on their wisdom and became vain in their knowledge.
- We live in a foolish age, where human attempts to make church work are often foolish. Ministers don’t always teach or lead right, and people don’t always discern right.
- Wisdom is not encouraged, and as a result, people don’t understand how to pursue it.
- Our focus is so much on the salvation experience that we don’t explore the things beyond salvation, those which are beyond the haven/hell debate.
All things permissible, not all are beneficial
1 Corinthians 10:23 says: “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. (NIV)
This powerful – and important verse of Scripture points out something vital to our Christian walk. While all things may be permitted, not all things are beneficial. In this verse, the Apostle Paul proves not everything was about salvation. Some things are, simply put, issues that call for the exercise of wisdom. Not everything sends us to hell. On the inverse, not everything, whether it sends us to hell or not, is wise.
For example, nothing in Scripture identifies smoking as a sin. Smoking a cigarette won’t keep someone out of heaven. This doesn’t mean Christians all over the world should light up and jeopardize their health on its account. There are numerous reasons in the natural why smoking is not beneficial. It damages one’s health, it can impact one’s social interactions, and it’s not good for those who are around a smoker to inhale secondhand smoke. There’s no benefit to doing it.
This is why wisdom is important. We weigh the value of things by their benefits to us. As Christians, we don’t just consider natural, but also spiritual values. Wisdom gives us the ability to see things not just for today, but in light of eternity.
Tares growing together
It’s also possible that those who are in the Kingdom and unwise are “tares” waiting to be revealed at the end of time.
“‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” (Matthew 13:29-30, NIV)
Those who are foolish grow alongside those who are wise, and, for a time, look exactly the same as those who are wise. You can’t tell the difference between the two on the surface. They may go
to the same church, listen to the same Christian music station, even wave their praise banners at the same time. They may both hold the same ministerial position, maybe even preach. Yet Scripture
goes on to tell us how we can identify the wise from the foolish.
The importance of setting limits and boundaries
For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them; But the wise took flasks of oil along with them [also] with their lamps. While the bridegroom lingered and was slow in coming, they all began nodding their heads, and they fell asleep. But at midnight there was a shout, Behold, the bridegroom! Go out to meet him! Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. But the wise replied, There will not be enough for us and for you; go instead to the dealers and buy for yourselves. (Matthew 25:3-9, AMPC)
The foolish didn’t prepare for the bridegroom’s late arrival. In other words, they just relied on the fact that he would come when they expected to be ready. They believed he would do what they anticipated. They made no preparations to the contrary.
The foolish are those today who believe God operates as they think He should. God becomes a big version of themselves: they do no wrong, are always battling the devil because they are so anointed, and much of the time, they rely on others to make up where they lack.
The wise come prepared because they know God’s ways are not their ways. This means that, in many ways, they are off the “beaten track.” They are making a new track for people to follow. They go through warfare in their lives, but the warfare is not haphazard: it is designed to hamper the work. In an effort to keep the lamp burning, they guard the anointing. In other words: they set boundaries and limits with others.
What does this look like?
Many believe Christians shouldn’t set boundaries in their lives. They assume that because they’re unprepared, a “real Christian” will help them out in any situation they face. It is true that sometimes, as Christians, we are called to help others. This is different from allowing ourselves to be manipulated by foolish people.
- “Well if you were really Christian, you’d give me some of your oil!”
- “If you have so much extra oil, you should share it with me!”
- “The Bible says we should love each other, you need to show me how much you love me!”
- “If you are my sibling in Christ, you will give me some of what you got!”
“You should help out my ministry with what you have – it shouldn’t be about the credit!” - “If the Holy Spirit is calling you to my event, you should use your own resources to get here and help me with my call!”
Every one of these statements has one thing in common: they are designed to be cunning. It’s not really about what kind of person you are, but everything about someone using you for their own purposes. Don’t succumb to foolish manipulation!
Foolish manipulation
Some assume foolish people are not smart. Whether or not this is true is up for debate. The foolish are, however, crafty. They’ve learned enough of the ways of the Kingdom to try and use the wise to develop the call/purpose they say God gave to them. They know enough to know most churchgoers don’t have a thorough definition of love or help for others, and that they can easily feel guilty with the right words.
Scripture clarifies the mark between wisdom and foolishness. It has nothing to do with love, help, or assisting others. God doesn’t give us enough so we can give to those who refuse to do for themselves. Matthew 25 clarifies selfishness and giving, and in no way is it selfish to tell someone no when they need to hear it. In wisdom, we can see through foolish manipulation. We prove our wisdom when we aren’t manipulated by foolish people, moving on to focus on the Bridegroom Himself.
I once heard it said that handing everyone everything they ask for isn’t good for them. This is true in the Spirit as much as in the natural. We need to learn accountability. Through accountability, we learn responsibility. If we ever want to grow in the Spirit, we must avoid manipulation and encourage each believer to both a sense of communal accountability and spiritual support. Sometimes, that means saying no.
Who misses the call of the bridegroom?
But while they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were prepared went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came and said, Lord, Lord, open [the door] to us! But He replied, I solemnly declare to you, I do not know you [I am not acquainted with you]. Watch therefore [give strict attention and be cautious and active], for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come. (Matthew 25:10-13, AMPC)
What happened here is obvious, a contrast int he wise and foolish virgins: the foolish virgins prepared themselves too late. Even though they knew they were invited to the wedding, they under-prepared themselves. The fruits of their self-serving purposes are evident. The bride groom didn’t work on their timetable, so they were under prepared. In an attempt to work double-time, they came up short-sighted and missed the event. Blinded by self, these people forgot to be prepared so they could watch and wait!
Those who are foolish will miss the call of the bridegroom. They will miss the very presence of Jesus, the very wedding spoken of in Revelation, because they will have wasted too much time trying
to get something for nothing. Wisdom tells us to be prepared and to guard our preparations.
A minister’s call
The wise and foolish virgins also give us insight into ministry. In ministry, our preparations are our ministry. If we are truly chosen, our actions will align with wisdom. If we have allowed too many people to take advantage of what God has placed in our lives, now is the time to guard what God has given. to those who are foolish, it’s time to examine the reason and be responsible. Leaders, it’s time to impress the value of responsibility. Verse 13 reminds us of the importance of being alert, prepared, watchful, and waiting, because we don’t know when Jesus is coming back. He could arrive ten minutes after I write this, or not for another ten thousand years.
The point is that it doesn’t matter. When it comes to spiritual things, we need to want and seek more than just avoiding hell after we die. We need to seek wisdom that reflects the Lord’s precepts within our lives. If you are, that’s great. If you’re not, it’s time to turn that tide…because you know not at what time the Son of Man shall return.
Are you foolish…or wise?
I see many things in church today. Much of it resembles the wise and foolish virgins. Perhaps the most prevalent is the over-estimation of self. People are so preoccupied with a love of themselves – whether it manifests in their concept of being called, of what they feel they are called to do or are able to do, or are just so into what they want – they have totally lost sight of God. This pursuit is not a genuine separation of holiness from unholiness; it is an over-estimation of the Christian individual in pursuit of pride.
We, as a church; we, as ministers; we, as those called, must take a cue from the wise and foolish virgins. We cannot impact the world with the gifts God has given unto us if we operate foolishly. If ministry, our call, even being a Christian has become somehow all about us, we are behaving foolishly.
We are earthen vessels
2 Corinthians 4:1-7 offers us powerful perspective on ministry. Whether intentionally or not, it’s also about the power of wisdom with our anointing from God:
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ
Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (KJV)
The excellency of what we do comes from the power of God, the unction of the Holy Spirit, God in our experience, working within and through us. If we are wise, we recognize God is working within us and we give Him the glory for all He is doing. We will guard what He has given us, and will diligently work in these last days as we await the return of Jesus Christ.
Earthen vessels of wisdom
As earthen vessels, we will allow God to mold and shape us into what He desires us to be come. As we do so, we grow in a deeper sense of wisdom and protection of the anointing deposited on our lives. Until Jesus returns, there will always be the wise and foolish virgins, wheat and tares. Sometimes it will seem like the tares choose the wheat, but in the end, it will be clear that the wheat is strong and healthy, purposed for its situating as it offers nourishment with the Word of Life.
It’s obvious the wise and foolish virgins exist for our own examination. On the surface, I may not be able to tell whether you are foolish or wise…until you come and ask for a portion of what I have to compensate for what you don’t have. In that situation, I have to decide what I will do, and the type of person God has for me to become. I’ve made my choice. What about you? Wise or foolish – in the end, the type of person you choose to be is up to you.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In