This chapter is a continuation of the previous one. It continues the conversation about the return of Christ and how we need to be prepared.
It opens with the story of 10 virgins waiting to meet the bridegroom - 5 silly and 5 smart. The smart ones kept oil in their lamps and took extra to keep them lit. The silly ones (other versions call them foolish), ran out of oil and went seeking through town to find some. While they were gone, the bridegroom arrived. When they knocked on the door, they were too late to enter. They were not known.
Keep oil in your lamp and keep extra oil on hand. Stay alert.
The next story is about a Master who is going away on a long trip. He delegated responsibilities to three servants, depending on their abilities. To the first, he save $5000, who doubled it while the Master was away. The second servant received $2000, and he also doubled it. The third servant was given $1000 and he buried it, not even making interest on it.
The third servant said, "I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place..."
The Master replied, "That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that! ... get rid of this 'play-it-safe' who won't go out on a limb."
Which servant are you? What are you doing with what God has given you to use while He is away?
The final parable in the book of Matthew is about the sheep and the goats. When the Son of Man returns, He will take His place on the throne and separate the sheep from the goats. It boils down to one thing that separates the two: those who took care of the overlooked and ignored and those who didn't.
We are called to serve the down and out. Serving others is serving Jesus Himself.