But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. (Matt. 25:9 KJV)
As born again Christians, we must be aware and well acquainted with the notion of spiritual transactions. Akin to the same notion of business or financial transaction in our contemporary or natural environment so is the eminent need for spiritual transaction in the Kingdom of God.
A transaction is essentially a mutual understanding or agreement between parties to exchange an item for a stated price. It is the exchange or trading of values to secure what each party needs or desires. In the early ages when Money was not the medium for trading, items that were determined or estimated to share comparable values are traded or exchanged to settle ownership requirements. This format was the template for “transacting’ business. The important notice is that a settlement is reached in every transaction.
Beloved, we must note (also) that in every spiritual encounter that culminates in exchange of spiritual virtues, there is an attending settlement that validates the transaction or aptly put, we trade values to gain spiritual virtues except that money is not necessary or required in spiritual transaction. This is important.
Take the “simple” case of Salvation for instance, the Bible says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Eph. 2:8 NIV). Notice, Faith is a required value to exchange for God’s Salvation. Salvation is not sold for money yet no one can earn salvation without Faith. It is lacking Faith that has prevented many people from having or “owing” the salvation of God. God will not extend salvation to anyone that has no faith just as a merchant will not extend wares to anyone that has no money. Please note that there is demand by God and responsibility on Man to settle spiritual transaction.
Further on the concept of Salvation, the Bible recorded a very apt account to illustrate the transaction supporting it, “The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (Acts 16:29-30 NIV). Notice the settlement price for Salvation is “Believe in the Lord Jesus”. When anyone is unbelieving, such cannot own the salvation our Lord Jesus delivers.
The notion of spiritual transaction and its understanding will aid and help us to gain growth and wealth in spiritual blessings and virtues. Notice the jailer said, “Sirs, what must I do…?” not what must I give (money). Many very often ignore the notice of what must be done to attain or acquire spiritual blessings due to the wrong belief or misunderstanding that spiritual virtues are free; well free of money but there is what must be done or traded for them.
About the oil in Matt. 25:9 KJV; the wise answered, saying, Not so;…go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves”. The unwise or foolish were unaware that the oil must be bought (not given free) and so were excluded for lacking oil at the critical time of their need for it. We must search the Scriptures to gain truth about what is required of us to trade for our spiritual needs. It is well.