Jesus openly challenged hypocritical scribes and Pharisees. Their example got in the way of people seeking to enter the Kingdom of heaven. They acted as if tithing excused their lack of mercy. They engaged in ritual while ignoring righteousness. Using another teaching method, the Lord told parables to get whole crowds thinking. In one story, ten bridesmaids went outside to await the arrival of the groom and his attendants. Half of the bridal party eventually ran short of lamp oil, missed the torchlight procession, and got locked out of the wedding celebration. In another parable, two servants wisely used their master’s wealth entrusted to them, while a third servant did nothing with it. When responses to our prayers do not meet our expectations, do we look at our own delays in wisely using the blessings we have?