Reserves
R. Collyer, D. D. Matthew 25:1-13 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened to ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.… I. This demand touches LIFE itself. Your doctor will tell you that the best thing you can do is to keep as fine a reserve of vitality as you can possibly store away, if you mean to give him a chance when some day he has to pull you through the sore conflict between life and death. How often is it said, "Nothing could be done for him because he had nothing to fall back upon; he used up all his life as he went along." Here then is the first meaning of " oil " in my vessel with my lamp. II. These reserves mean CHARACTER. We can store up character as we store up life for searching emergencies we store up spiritual substance of manhood. III. These reserves mean ACHIEVEMENT. The power to do the grandest thing possible to your nature, when you feel you must, or some precious thing will be lost. To cube your power out of the latent stores. IV. WE CAN STORE UP OTHER AND BETTER THINGS AGAINST THE TRIAL OF THE SOUL. We can store up faith, hope, love, and whatever makes a Christian. (R. Collyer, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. WEB: "Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom.