Leadership Lessons from the Ten Virgins
T
he parable of
the ten virgins
was told by Jesus and
can be found in Matthew
25:1-13. The Bible says that five of the
virgins were wise and five were foolish. All ten
The Leadership Lessons from the
of them went forth to meet the bridegroom. The
Ten Virgins;
five who were foolish took their lamps but took 1 The wise sleep after they have worked. The
no oil with them. But the five who were wise took foolish sleep because it is night time. When
their lamps and took oil with them. As they waited you are unprepared, you have no business
for the Bridegroom, there was a delay, and they fell sleeping. Sleep is for those who have worked
asleep. Then at midnight, there was a cry saying, and are tired and need to refresh themselves.
“Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Just because it is night time and others are
him.” All the virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. At
sleeping, is no reason for you to sleep. You
that point, the foolish realised that they would need
could turn it into preparation time.
some oil and said to those who were wise, “please give
2
The wise are not afraid to say no.
us some of your oil.” But the wise, said, “no we can’t
Don’t be afraid to say no. Many people do
do that because it will not be enough for us and
not know how to say no, and so they take on
you. Go to those that sell and buy for yourselves.”
problems that are not theirs, and it stops them
(Paraphrased) As the foolish went out to buy oil,
from making progress in their own lives. Wise
the bridegroom came, and those who were
people know when and how to say no. They also
ready entered the feast with him, and the
know that saying no doesn’t make them selfish or
door was shut against those who were
wicked, but it ensures that they are able to walk in
not ready.
their God-given purpose and fulfil destiny. If the wise
virgins did not say no to the foolish virgins, they would have
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DOZ Magazine December 2017
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