Give Me Oil in My Lamp: Lessons from Matthew 25
Jesus told the parable of the ten virgins to teach us about readiness for His return. Ten virgins took their lamps to meet the bridegroom. Five were wise and brought oil. Five were foolish and brought none. When the midnight cry sounded, the wise entered the wedding feast with the bridegroom. The foolish were left outside, unprepared.
This story is more than an ancient wedding illustration—it is a picture of our spiritual lives today.
Running on Empty
Most of us know what it feels like to run on empty in our cars. The gas light comes on and instead of stopping, we gamble: “How much farther can I go?”
It might be possible to push further on empty, but it costs more than you think. Running dry can clog filters, overheat pumps, and leave you stranded.
The same is true for the soul. You can move forward on empty for a while—but the damage adds up. Spiritually drained, emotionally dry, vulnerable to temptation—you will eventually break down.
The Danger of Running on Empty
The Bible shows us examples of people who ran out spiritually:
Naomi left Bethlehem, the “house of bread,” during famine and returned home empty (Ruth 1:20–21).
Saul’s army fought on empty, forbidden to eat until the battle ended. Jonathan tasted honey and said, “How much better if the people had eaten freely today” (1 Samuel 14:29–30).
Running on empty shrinks your victories. It leaves you weak when you should be strong. Many miss moments of breakthrough not because they do not want God, but because they are too drained to respond.
Oil Is Not Optional
Jesus said the foolish virgins took their lamps but brought no oil. They looked prepared, but they were not.
Oil in Scripture represents the Spirit, consecration, and intimacy with God. It is not optional. Without oil, a lamp is just for show. Without oil, our faith becomes form without fire.
Ask yourself:
Do I have oil, or just a lamp?
Am I burning with His presence, or just carrying the appearance of readiness?
Oil Cannot Be Borrowed
When the foolish asked the wise for oil, they were told, “No… go buy for yourselves.”
You cannot borrow someone else’s anointing. You cannot live off your pastor’s prayer life, your family’s faith, or last year’s revival.
Your mama’s altar, your friend’s burden, or a youth camp fire will not keep your lamp burning.
Only your oil—your devotion, your discipline, your time in the presence of God—will sustain you when the midnight cry comes.
Oil Must Be Refilled in Advance
The tragedy of the foolish virgins is not that they did not want oil. It is that they waited too long to get it.
You do not catch up when the trumpet sounds.
You do not refill when the door is closing.
You prepare now. You fill up now. You burn now.
The door of grace is open, but it will not stay open forever. Oil must be refilled in advance.
A Call to Readiness
This parable is not about behavior—it is about preparation. Five were wise because they were full. Five were foolish because they were empty.
The midnight cry will reveal what is inside your lamp. Will it burn bright? Or will it flicker out?
Today, pray this simple but urgent prayer:
“Lord, give me oil in my lamp. Keep me burning until You come.”
Guard your altar.
Feed your fire.
Refill your oil daily.
The Bridegroom is coming. Be ready.
Key Takeaway: You cannot run on empty, you cannot borrow oil, and you cannot wait until the last minute. Only your oil will keep your lamp burning when Jesus comes again.