Wisdom & Compassion

As I recently read this parable, I was struck by the one difference in the list of commonalities between these ten ladies. Oil. Of all the things, oil. It wasn’t enough to be a virgin. It wasn’t enough to be waiting. It wasn’t enough to have lamps. It wasn’t enough to hear the cry of the Bridegroom. It came down to having oil for their lamps. Not only did these five wise maidens have oil for their lamps, they did not give it away. Even further, they instructed the other five maidens to go buy their own oil.