The remaining 48 verses in Chapter 24 deal with the signs of the end of the age. It deals with the second coming of Jesus Christ. Then to illustrate the points He was trying to make, He tells us two parables. The Parable of the Ten Virgins may seem more obvious. It is teaching us the necessity to be ready for the second coming. That we have to be prepared. On a deeper level, oil is a representation of the Holy Spirit and those without it will not be allowed in. This explains the admonition at the end about not knowing the day or hour. Because of the usage of talents, that parable might not be as obvious until you take it in the context in which it was written. God has entrusted us all with certain things. First He has entrusted us with salvation. We all know what God has done for us. That is the foundational talent if you will. That is the first bag of gold we receive. We are not supposed to bury this talent. Others may have been given more talents. More insight into the things of God. More giftings from the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we want to know why God has not given us a certain level of promotion or responsibility and He is still waiting for us to be faithful with what we have been given.
Either way, this is not a story highlighting the appropriate usage of money. Contextually, it is part of a discussion on the second coming of Christ and what our responsibilities are until that coming. When the Master says well done and puts them in charge of even more that is not "more wealth; more blessing." It actually means more responsibility. The problem as with all wealth-focused programs is it is improperly focused on the things of this earth instead of eternal matters. The salesman tried valiantly to bring it back to the ability to bless others with your wealth but in the end it is still selling earthly prosperity by misusing Scriptures that are about eternal matters. These two chapters from Matthew are not about money. They are about salvation and being sure you are ready for when that trumpet sounds. There is however a Biblical Money Code. It is not vague. It does not need to be ripped out of context. It is quite clear:
"Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. - Matthew 6: 19-21 (NLT)
"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. - Matthew 6: 24 (NLT)
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. - 1Timothy 6: 9-10 (NLT)
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!" This amazed them. But Jesus said again, "Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!" - Mark 10: 23-25 (NLT)
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. - Matthew 6: 33 (NLT)
Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you." - Hebrews 13: 5 (NLT)
