| The Best Things in Life |
Chapter 15 |
Page 4 |
Another lesson from our Lord’s parable is that each must have his own lamp, and must keep it filled with his own oil. The foolish said to the wise, “Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out.” But they answered, “Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” Has it ever seemed to you that the wise ought to have granted the request of their sisters in their distress, sharing their oil with them? Some think they were unfeeling and cold in their refusal. But even on the ground of right and justice, the answer of the wise virgins was right. We are not required to fail in our own duty in order to help another do his duty. But there is a deeper meaning which our Master would teach here – that the blessings of grace cannot be transferred. That which the oil represents cannot be given by any one to another. “Each one must bear his own burden.” One cannot believe for another. One cannot transfer the results of one’s faithfulness to another.
If you have lived well through your years, and have won honour by your good deeds, you cannot give any portion of that honour and good name to another who has lived foolishly and begs you to share with him the fruits of your faithful life. If one woman has improved her opportunities, and has grown into a strong, self reliant, refined, and disciplined character, while her sister with like opportunities has been negligent and has developed a weak, uncultured, and unbeautiful womanhood, the first cannot impart any of her strength, her self control, her disciplined spirit to the other, to help her through some special emergency. If one man has studied diligently, and mastered every lesson, at length reaching a position of eminence and power, of splendid manhood and character, he cannot give of his self mastery, strength, and right living to his brother who has trifled through the days which were given for training and preparation. A brave soldier in the day of battle cannot share his courage with the trembling comrade by his side. The same is true of all qualities and attainments – they cannot be transferred.
So it is also in the receiving of grace. The holiest mother cannot share her holiness with her child who is defiled with sin. David would have died for his son Absalom, but he could not. We cannot take another’s place in life. We cannot give another our burden; it is ours and is not transferable. In temptation one who is victorious cannot give part of his victory or part of his strength to the friend by his side, who is about to fall.
Page 4