Matthew 25:9d buy for yourselves.

Matthew 25 begins with the telling tale of the ten virgins and the oil for the lamps. Oil represents anointing. So how does this relate to appropriations? Good question.

If you have read previous devotions these past few days, I pointed out that the words of the Kingdom are often different in meaning than as the world knows it. Here is one of those words, appropriations.

The U.S. government creates laws. In all cases except unfunded mandates, they collect taxes to enact these laws. A committee within the House of Representatives called Ways and Means appropriates funding to ensure these laws are carried out.

In the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the anointing oil is bought by individuals for their own lamps. Jesus Christ is the anointed. Jesus Christ is the Word. The oil is appropriated from the Word of God. The price paid is time and effort but the appropriation comes by making the Word yours.

2 Corinthians 3:2-3 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

When you make the Word an integral part of who you are, it guides and directs your thoughts and actions.

Have you bought the oil for yourselves?

Do you continue to buy the oil as you use it or allow your lamp to run dry?

Thus the five virgins with oil were called wise.