It is no coincidence that Jesus used the setting of the ten virgins and the given talents to ensure us that he who is faithful over a few will rule over much more and to give us a glimpse into the day when he shall return and make his kingdom manifest.  It is hard not to understand that Jesus is interested in the fruit that we bare.  What are we doing with what he gave us?  How many lives have we touched with the gospel of his truth?  Have we used our gifts for the uplifting of our neighbors?  Have we used our lives to seek truth and to express virtue?

This is the hope that we have as believers who walk upright before the Lord.  I know it might seem that others can do all manner of evil to whom ever they like, whenever they like.  This gives us hope that the Bernie Madoffs and Ken Lays of the world will meet their maker one day.  There is a saying that the older generation used when I was a little boy.  They would always say to each other after they were leaving each other, "I'll see you in the reckoning."  Of course the pronunciation took on colloquial nuances.  They reminded each other every time they saw each other, in other words, be careful what you do and how you do it.  I am sure this tradition is linked to a time when their parents and grands were in bondage in the South.  This hope of Christ separating the sheep from the goats (the wheat from the tare) helped them to trod through another day.  I'm sure because one of my most favorite Spirituals testify of such.  In that great gettin up morning: 

Well in that great gettin up morning
(fare ye well,fare ye well)
In that great gettin up morning
(fare ye well,fare ye well)

Let me tell ya bout the comin of judgement... 

Now this is what is called a level playing field.  Every one will stand on one's own merit and the old adage is put to the test, "only what you do for Christ will last."  No good-old boy networks will do.  No amount of checks can be written to pay one's way through this one. This is where every tub will sit upon its own bottom, as my father used to say.  A time when the wicked shall cease their troubling and the weary shall be at rest.