Oil -- typically olive oil -- symbolizes the good that comes from celestial love. Celestial love is love of the Lord, the highest and purest love we can have. The good of celestial love is the desire to be good springing from celestial love: Wanting to do the Lord's will because you love Him. That's not a state many reach, even in heaven, but it's a beautiful goal. This representation makes sense based on the idea that the sun -- the source of all natural light and heat, and thus all natural life -- represents the Lord, the source of all spiritual light, heat and life. Burning oil was the most pure fire available in Biblical times, thus the closest representation of the sun people could create.

8252. EXODUS CHAPTER 15.

TEACHINGS ABOUT CHARITY

A member of the Church should pursue a religious life and he should pursue a charitable life; the two should go together. A religious life without a charitable life has no value at all, but together with a charitable life it has every value.