What Did Jesus Say To The Rich Man

Bible Gateway passage: Mark 10:17-31 – New International Version

A guy went up to Jesus as he was getting ready to go and dropped on his knees B)”>(B)before him as he started walking. “Good instructor,” he inquired, “what do I have to do in order to obtain eternal life?” ” C)”> ” C”> ” C”> ” C”> ” C”> (C) 18″Can you tell me why you think I’m good?” Jesus responded in the affirmative. “With the exception of God, no one is good.” The commandments are well-known: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false evidence, you shall not conduct fraud, and you shall honor your father and mother’ (Exodus 20:13).

In his words, “you’re missing one important item.” If you go out and sell all you own and give the proceeds to the needy, E)”>(E)you’ll find riches in paradise.

” G)”> ” G)”> (G) 22At this point, the man’s face began to fall.

‘How difficult it is for the rich H)”>(H) to join God’s kingdom!’ remarked Jesus to his followers as he looked about.

“Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!” Jesus said once more.

27 With a glance at them in the eyes, Jesus declared, “With man, this is impossible, but not with God; with God, all things are possible.” ” K)”>(K)28 is an abbreviation for ” K)” “We’ve abandoned everything to follow you!” Peter said at that point.

“Truly I tell you,”Jesus responded, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel30will fail to receive a hundred times as much M)”>(M)in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come N)”>(N)eternal life.

” P)”> ” P)”> ” P)”> (P) Read the entire chapter.

Footnotes

  1. 10:19 (Mark 10:19) Scripture references include Exodus 20:12-16
  2. Deuteronomy 5:16-20
  3. And Mark 10:24. Some writings are intended for individuals who place their faith in wealth.

New International Version (New International Version) (NIV) NIV® stands for New International Version® of the Holy Bible. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, and 2012 byBiblica, Inc.®Used with permission from the owner.

All rights are retained around the world. The New International Version (NIV) Reverse Interlinear Bible provides translations from English to Hebrew and from English to Greek. Zondervan has copyright protection till the year 2019.

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A man approached Jesus at that point and inquired, “Teacher, what good act must I do in order to get eternal life B)?” “(B) What do you think? The letter “C” refers to the letter “C” in the previous sentence “> The following is an example of a formalized formalized formalized (C) “Why should you inquire as to what is good?” says the narrator. Jesus responded in the affirmative. “There is only One who is good,” says the author. Keep the commandments if you wish to be accepted into life.” D) “> The following is an example of a formalized formalized formalized (D) 18″Can you tell me which ones?” he queried.

“Can you tell me what I still lack?” Jesus responded, “If you want to be perfect, H)”>(H)go, sell your belongings, and give the proceeds to those in need, I)”>(I), and you will have treasure in heaven.” J) The word “J” refers to the letter “J” in the Greek alphabet “>(J)Then come on over here and follow me.” 22When the young guy heard this, he was depressed since he possessed much fortune.

a camel may easily pass through the eye of a needle, but it is more difficult for someone who is wealthy to enter the kingdom of God,” Jesus says again.

M) The letter M is an abbreviation for the letter M “>(M)What will be the consequences for us?” Upon hearing this, Jesus replied to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his magnificent throne, N) I will raise you up with the dead.” “The twelve tribes of Israel will be judged by the twelve thrones that you will sit on because you have followed me.

P)”>(P)30 However, many of the first will be the last, and many of the last will be the first.

“>(Q)Please read the entire chapter.

All rights are retained around the world. The New International Version (NIV) Reverse Interlinear Bible provides translations from English to Hebrew and from English to Greek. Zondervan has copyright protection till the year 2019.

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The story of Jesus and the rich young man (also known as the story of Jesus and the rich ruler) is told in the Gospels of Matthew (19:16–30), Mark (10:17–31), and Luke (18:18–30) and is included in the New Testament. It is concerned with the afterlife and the world to come. Beijing, China, 1879: Chinese painting of Jesus with the rich young man.

Narratives

The dialogue in Matthew and Mark takes place during the time when Jesus was ministering in Perea, which is located east of the Jordan River. In Matthew, a wealthy young man approaches Jesus and inquires as to what deeds produce eternal life. First and foremost, Jesus counsels the man to follow the commandments. The man answers by saying that he already observes them and inquires as to what else he can do. Jesus responds, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your belongings, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.

  • The character Luke had a similar event in which he says: “When he heard this, he got really depressed because he was a very affluent man.” Jesus looked him in the eyes and remarked, “What a difficult task it is for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of heaven!
  • This is what it says: “Master, what excellent thing must I do and live for?” inquired the other wealthy man to him.
  • “I have completed them,” he responded to his question.
  • The affluent guy, on the other hand, began to itch his head, which did not delight him.

considering that it is stated in the law, ‘Thou must love thy neighbor as yourself,’ and consider that many of your brothers, sons of Abraham, are dressed in dirt and dying of hunger, while your home is bursting at the seams with valuables, and nothing goes forth from it to help them.” In that case, he turned to Simon his disciple, who was sitting nearby, and said, “Simon, son of John, it is easier for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

Interpretation

This event connects the word “everlasting life” to the act of being received into the Kingdom of God. Starting with a query to Jesus regarding everlasting life, the narrative progresses to Jesus making a reference to admittance into the Kingdom of God in the same context. The affluent young man served as the setting for Pope John Paul II’s presentation of the Christian moral law in chapter 1 of his encyclical letter, Veritatis splendor, published in 1993. Dietrich Bonhoeffer contends that while Jesus’ instructions to the wealthy young ruler are frequently read as supererogatory for Christians, such an understanding acquiesces in what he terms “cheap grace,” lowering the quality of Christian teaching: There is a distinction between ourselves and the wealthy young man in that he was not permitted to express his regrets by saying: “What matters is that, regardless of what Jesus says, I can still hang on to my wealth, albeit with a sense of inner separation.

Whatever my shortcomings, I may find peace in the knowledge that God has forgiven me of my sins and that I can have communion with Christ through faith.” But he didn’t, and he left in a bad mood.

In this regard, the young man was very forthright.

Additionally, dispensational theologians distinguish between the Gospel of the Kingdom and the Gospel of Grace that is taught in dispensational churches today in order to avoid conflict with the doctrine that salvation is “by grace through faith,” as articulated inEphesians 2:8–9, which states that salvation is “by grace through faith.”

See also

  • Christian perspectives on poverty and riches
  • Christian socialism
  • And other topics. 5:1-6 in the Epistle of James
  • Evangelical guidance
  • The eye of a needle
  • Gospel harmony Jesuism
  • Living a simple life
  • All things are possible when God is involved
  • Friedrich Justus Knecht’s practical commentary on the parable of the rich young man was published in 1910.

References

You are here: Home/1 Theology/The Gospel/Why Did Jesus Tell the Rich Young Ruler to Sell Everything He Owned? Why Did Jesus Tell the Rich Young Ruler to Sell Everything He Owned? We’ve all heard the story: A ruler approaches Jesus and inquires, “What must I do in order to gain eternal life?” When asked if he believes in himself, Jesus responds by stating, “You know the commandments: do not commit adultery; don’t kill; don’t steal; don’t bear false testimony; do not dishonor your father and mother” (Luke 18:18-19).

  • “Believe in me,” we would anticipate Jesus to say at some point.
  • 21).
  • Sell all you own and give it away to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; and come, follow me” (v.
  • Why didn’t Jesus just say, “Believe in me”?
  • One popular explanation is that Jesus was demonstrating to this individual his sin.
  • It has been argued that this reading violates the text’s integrity by imposing a religious framework on it.
  • However, I do not believe this to be the case.

Because, according to Luke, Jesus had just finished telling the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector before saying this.

The tax collector, on the other hand, refused to even elevate his eyes to heaven, instead pleading with God, “God, be compassionate to me a sinner” (See also v.

Which one of these was a valid argument?

No.

“I swear to you, this guy walked down to his house justified, rather than the other.” “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other” (v.

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Here’s the crux of the matter: The Pharisee and the tax collector taught a valuable lesson to the affluent young monarch, but he failed to apply it.

In his subsequent lecture, he explained how we might obtain justification, namely, by confessing that we are sinners, rather than law enforcers, like the tax collector.

He, like the Pharisee, believes that he is an upholder of the law.

Some may object, saying, “Well, these events may not have occurred so close together during Jesus’ real ministry.” I understand that point of view.

Regardless of how they are related, the closeness with which Luke places them in his gospel tells us something about Luke’s goal and the point Luke is trying to make.

It is difficult to overlook the parallels between what the Pharisee claimed about himself as a lawkeeper (18:11) and what the affluent young king said about himself as a lawkeeper (18:12).

Since the point of the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector is not that the Pharisee was a lawkeeper, but that all of us are like this tax collector — that is, sinful and in need of mercy(18:13-14), we should read the rich young ruler’s claim to have kept the commandments and respond, “no, you haven’t,” because the point of the parable is not that the Pharisee was a lawkeeper, but that all of us are like And I believe that is what Jesus is trying to convey.

  1. When Jesus answers to him by telling him to “go sell all you own,” Jesus is putting him on the spot.
  2. “All right, you don’t get it, do you?” Jesus is essentially saying to him.
  3. It also demonstrates that, like the tax collector, the rich young king isn’t really a lawkeeper after all: he has violated both the Tenth Commandment and the First Commandment by placing his preference for money above his relationship with God.
  4. However, the affluent young monarch finds himself in a favorable situation right now.
  5. He should now, like the tax collector, repent of his misdeeds and turn to God in prayer for forgiveness.
  6. 22).
  7. That would be in direct conflict with the message of the parable he had just given about the Pharisee and the tax collector before this (18:9-14).

In this way, receiving the kingdom of God as a child (18:17) is defined: you do not rely on your own efforts, but instead appeal to God for compassion.

A possible objection: After the rich guy has left, Peter essentially declares: “Hey, see, we did exactly what you instructed us to do – we did leave our homes and follow you” (18:28).

In no way, shape, or form.

What happened after Jesus displayed his power by permitting the massive fish catch?

(See also Luke 5:8).

Luke expresses a strong desire for us to keep this in mind.

He came into the kingdom in the same way that the tax collector did: by confessing his wickedness and seeking pardon.

First and foremost, we must recognize our sin and turn to Christ for pardon.

Those who believe they are obeying the rule without first humbling themselves, like the tax collector (18:13-14), a kid (18:17), or Peter (5:8) did, are not following the law and are thus unworthy of salvation.

But first and foremost, we must humble ourselves by seeking justifications outside from our works. When this happens, extreme obedience follows — sometimes even to the point of abandoning everything in order to follow Jesus, as Peter did.

Why did Jesus tell the rich young ruler he could be saved by obeying the commandments?

1 Theology/The Gospel/Why Did Jesus Tell the Rich Young Ruler to Sell Everything He Owned? You are here: 1 Theology/1 The Gospel/What Was Jesus Trying to Tell the Rich Young Ruler? This is the narrative that we are all familiar with. Un ruling class official approaches Jesus and inquires about how to obtain eternal life. When asked if he believes in me, Jesus responds by stating, “You know the commandments: do not commit adultery; don’t kill; don’t steal; don’t bear false testimony; do not dishonor your father and mother” (Luke 18:18-19).

  • “Believe in me,” we would anticipate Jesus saying.
  • “All of things I have maintained since my childhood,” the wealthy young monarch says (v.
  • “There is one thing you still lack,” Jesus says.
  • 22).
  • He appeared to inform this individual that observing the rules would result in his salvation.

Not that observing the commandments would save him; rather, Jesus’ argument was that “since you haven’t obeyed the rules, you must be saved in another manner – specifically, by trust in me.” It has been argued that this reading violates the text’s integrity by imposing a religious framework upon it.

  • It is not, though, in my opinion.
  • Because, according to Luke, Jesus had just finished telling the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, and this was immediately before it.
  • “I fast twice a week and offer tithes of all I earn,” says the author (Luke 18:11-12).
  • 13, the author says: Which of these was a reasonable conclusion?
  • No.
  • The man who walked down to his house excused his actions, rather than the other.
  • 14).
  • The lesson of the Pharisee and the tax collector was not learned by the wealthy young monarch.
  • In his subsequent lecture, he explained how we might get justification, namely, by confessing that we are sinners, rather than law-keepers, as the tax collector.

In response to Jesus’ statement, “you know the commandments,” the wealthy young ruler answers, “all of these I have kept from my childhood,” repeating the Pharisee from the text that precedes it by only a few verses: He, like the Pharisee, believes that he is an upholder of the law in his own community.

  • “Well, these things might not have happened so close together in Jesus’ genuine ministry,” I understand someone saying.
  • But, in any case, the close proximity with which Luke positions them in his gospel tells us something about Luke’s goal and the point Luke is trying to make with his gospel.
  • (18:21).
  •   “Go sell all you own,” Jesus tells him, implying that he must sell everything he owns in order to follow Jesus.
  • “All right, you don’t get it,” Jesus is effectively telling him.
  • It also demonstrates that, like the tax collector, the rich young ruler isn’t really a lawkeeper after all: he has violated both the Tenth Commandment and the First Commandment by placing his preference for money above his commitment to God.
  • After all, Jesus has just demonstrated that he is not a law-abiding citizen.

Also, when Jesus said, “Come, follow me,” he was alluding to this (v.

What I want to get through is this.

In fact, the tax collector’s purpose was to highlight the point of the parable, which was that none of us are lawkeepers and that we can only be justified by admitting our wickedness, as the tax collector did (18:13-14).

Bringing the wealthy young ruler to the same understanding of salvation that Jesus had just made in verses 13-14 and verse 17 was Jesus’ goal.

So, given that Peter did exactly what Jesus instructed the rich young ruler to do, would this imply that Jesus was truly implying that Peter would be saved by selling all of his belongings in order to follow him?

You’ll see something interesting if you go way back to the time when Peter gave up everything to follow Jesus.

“When Simon Peter saw it, he went on his knees before Jesus, pleading with him to leave him alone since I am a sinful man, O Lord,” the Bible records.

Clearly, this is something Luke wants us to recall.

Peter came into the kingdom in the same way as the tax collector did in the parable of the talents.

And Jesus extended charity to him, and Peter then abandoned everything to join Jesus in his ministry.

And after that comes lawkeeping.

Others, like Peter and the tax collector, who see their sinfulness and turn to Christ for compassion are able to follow Jesus in extreme obedience as a result of their realization.

But, before anything else, we must humble ourselves by seeking justifications aside from our works. When this happens, profound obedience results – sometimes even to the point of abandoning everything in order to follow Jesus, as Peter did.

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25 Important Bible Verses About Rich Man Entering Heaven

Some people believe that the Bible states that the wealthy are barred from entering Heaven, which is untrue. It’s only that they have a difficult time getting into Heaven. The affluent and wealthy may believe that they do not require Jesus since they have money. They might be overcome by feelings of pride, greed, selfishness, and other negative emotions, which will prevent them from entering. Christians can undoubtedly be wealthy and yet get to Heaven, but they must never put their faith in wealth.

  1. James 2:26 (NIV) In the same way that the body dies without oxygen, so does faith die without good acts.
  2. In America, you could be considered middle class, but in a nation like Haiti or Zimbabwe, you would be considered wealthy.
  3. Keep your gaze fixed on Christ.
  4. I keep money in a savings account.
  5. The majority of wealthy individuals are more concerned with money than with Christ.
  6. a.
  7. There is only one who is good in this world.

“Can you tell me which commandments?” the man inquired.

Never, ever become involved in adultery.

Never provide false testimony in a court of law.

It is as important to love your neighbor as it is to love yourself.” “I have complied with all of God’s commandments,” the young guy stated.

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“Then come with me!” When the young guy heard this, he was depressed since he was the owner of a large amount of property.

Matthew 19:24-28 (King James Version) I can assure you once more that it is far simpler for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a wealthy individual to join God’s kingdom.” When his followers heard this, they were astounded as they had ever been.

“It is difficult for humans to rescue themselves, but for God, anything is possible.” Jesus glanced at them and added, “But for God, everything is possible.” Then Peter said to him, “Look, we’ve given up everything in order to follow you.” “What exactly are we going to gain out of it?” “I can assure you of this truth: When the Son of Man sits on his majestic throne in the world to come, you, my disciples, will also sit on twelve thrones, ruling the twelve tribes of Israel,” Jesus stated to them.

  • The wealthiest have been ordered to do so.
  • He is the only one who is incapable of dying.
  • No one has seen him, and they are unable to see him.
  • Amen.
  • Instead, they should put their trust in God, who has lavishly provided us with all we could ever want or need.
  • In this way, individuals are able to grasp the true nature of existence.
  • 4.Acts 20:32-35 is a biblical passage.

“That message has the potential to assist you in your growth and to provide you with the inheritance that is shared by all of God’s holy people.” I was never interested in other people’s silver, gold, or cloths.

In this case, I’ve demonstrated that by working hard like this, we can assist the less fortunate.

Proverbs 11:23-26 (King James Version) Only good can come from the desires of virtuous people, while only rage can come from the hopes of evil people.

A generous person will be rewarded financially, and whoever brings happiness to others will find happiness himself.

6.

It is quite simple for the wealthy to generate money through deception.

Psalm 62:10–11 (KJV) Don’t put your faith in violence, and don’t get your hopes up about robbery.

God has uttered one thing, make it two things, that I have personally heard: that God is the source of all power, and that God is the source of all wisdom.

They are entrapped by a slew of foolish and toxic desires that lead to financial ruin and personal disaster.

Some have strayed from the faith and have impaled themselves with a great deal of agony because they have set their sights on money as their ultimate objective.

9.

Prevent yourself from succumbing to any form of greed.

A parable followed, according to which “a certain wealthy man’s land produced a bountiful crop.” He thought to himself, “What am I going to do?” I don’t have a place to put my harvest away!

That is where I intend to store all of my grain and other supplies.

Don’t you realize that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any part in God’s kingdom?

Never accepting Jesus as a result: They put their faith in their wealth.

Those who put their faith in their wealth will perish, but those who put their faith in God will flourish like a green leaf.

They put their faith in their riches and are proud of their affluence.

The price that must be paid for his soul is far too high.

Mark 8:36 (13th chapter) Why should a man gain the whole world while forfeiting his soul, you might wonder.

15.

Nevertheless, the worries of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and other wants and desires enter in and choke the word, so that it proves unfruitful.

Mark 4:19 Matthew 6:24–25 is a verse that says Nobody can serve two masters at the same time because either he will despise one and love the other, or he will be loyal to one and despise the other.

Isn’t it true that life is more than just food, and that the body is more than just clothing?

1 The number 18 is a reference to the number one in the number one position in the number one position in the number one position in the number one position in the number one position in the number one position in the number one position in the number one position in the number one position in the number one position in the number one position in the number one position in the number one position in the number one position in the number one position in the number one position in the number one position in the number one position in the number one position in the number one position John 2:15-17 (KJV) Stop falling in love with the world and the things that exist in it.

  • If anyone continues to love the world, it indicates that the Father’s love is not in him.
  • As time goes on, the world and its desires fade away, but the person who follows God’s will remains for all time.
  • The book of Romans 12:2 As for you, do not be conformed to this age, but rather be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may approve of God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will in all things.
  • Psalm 73:11-14 (21st century translation) They argue, “How would God know?” they ask.
  • Without a doubt, all my efforts to keep my heart pure and my hands clean have been in vain.
  • Keeping your eyes closed to the plight of the poor Proverbs 21:13-15 (Proverbs 21:13-15) You will not be heard or responded to if you turn away your ears from the cries of the poor.
  • Those who believe in justice are ecstatic when justice prevails, but those who work for evil have a bad day.

1 John 3:17-18 (New International Version) Whoever possesses earthly possessions and observes a brother in need, but refuses to extend compassion to him, is unable to demonstrate the love of God in his life, according to the Bible.

Reminders Proverbs 16:16-18 is the twenty-fourth verse.

To get understanding should be chosen instead of silver.

He who guards his way keeps his life.

Proverbs 23:4-5 is the 25th verse.

A flash of an eye may erase a lifetime’s worth of riches; money grows wings and takes flight into the great wide open.

In terms of diet, he ate as a king would, with only the finest fare.

He was placed in front of the rich man’s door.

He had so many visitors that even dogs came and kissed his sores.

In the arms of Abraham, he was carried away by the angels.

The rich man was in a great deal of discomfort in hell.

Then he screamed out and begged Father Abraham to have mercy on him.

Put his finger in some water and let him cool my tongue with it.

He is now in excellent health. You’re in a lot of discomfort. And, above and above all of this, there is a large, deep space between us. No one from here, even if he wanted to, will be able to travel there. No one is allowed to leave from there.

Concern for the Wealthy (Luke 6:25; 12:13-21; 18:18-30)

The first issue that Jesus has with riches is that it has a tendency to push God out of the lives of wealthy people. ‘Because where your riches is, there is also where your heart will be’ (Luke 12:34). Rather of defining their lives by their possessions, Jesus wants people to understand that their lives are defined instead by God’s love for them and his call on their life. Luke wants us to be deeply transformed by our interactions with Jesus, as well as the job that we conduct.

Put Family Ahead of Business (Click to Watch)

Peter Schneck sold his successful advertising business after realizing that it was interfering with his ability to maintain a strong relationship with his kid. However, having riches appears to make us obstinately opposed to any change in our way of living. It provides us with the tools to maintain the status quo, to become self-sufficient, and to go about our business in our own manner. In order to have a true, or everlasting, life, one must be in relationship with God (and other people), because riches that is used to replace God will ultimately result in eternal death.

  • (See also Luke 9:25.) The affluent may be enticed away from a relationship with God by their own wealth, a fate that the poor do not have to face.
  • This is not a guarantee of a future reward, but rather a summary of current circumstances.
  • “But woe to you who are full now, because you will be hungry later,” says the Bible (Luke 6:25).
  • Even the wretchedly wealthy, it is possible that there is still hope.

The Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)

The parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21) is a powerful example of how Jesus uses this theme. “The land of a wealthy man produced abundantly,” producing much too much to be stored in the wealthy man’s barns. “What am I going to do?” he frets, and he ultimately decides to demolish his barns and construct larger ones. He is one of those who believe that increasing one’s wealth will lead to less concern over money. Unfortunately for him, he experiences an even more dire fate before he can realize how hollow his ominous fortune is: death.

  • (See Luke 12:20.) One advantage is the response “not yours,” because the money he relied on to provide for him for many years will be transferred instantaneously to someone else.
  • What you have planned for yourself, a life after death without God, is what you will receive.
  • As seen by his unwillingness to even consider the possibility of using his bumper harvest to provide for those in need, his prosperity has removed him from the necessity of developing a connection with God.
  • Friendship with God is viewed in this context in terms of economics.
  • The problem with the rich idiot is that he hoards things for himself while failing to create jobs or prosperity for others.
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We can imagine a wealthy individual who truly loves God and treats his or her wealth with reverence, one who generously gives to the poor, or better yet, one who invests money in the production of genuine goods and services, employs a growing workforce, and treats people with justice and fairness in their employment.

Such individuals are blessed both throughout their lives and after they pass away.

The sting of the parable should not be diminished, however: although growth (economic and otherwise) may be achieved via grace, it is also possible to achieve growth solely through greed; the final accounting will be held before the Lord.

The Rich Ruler (Luke 18:18-30)

The conversation between Jesus and the rich ruler (Luke 18:18-30) suggests that there is a chance of deliverance from the shackles of money. This man has not let his wealth to completely overshadow his longing for God. “Good teacher, what must I do in order to obtain eternal life?” he inquires of Jesus at the outset. In response, Jesus gives a synopsis of the Ten Commandments. When the ruler responds, “I have maintained all of these from my youth,” Jesus believes him and accepts him at his word (Luke 18:21).

  • As a result, he provides him with a means of countering wealth’s poisonous effect.
  • Anyone whose innermost yearning is for God would unquestionably jump at the chance to have daily, personal connection with God’s only Son in the flesh.
  • “He grew depressed because he was so wealthy” (Luke 18:23).
  • The passage of a camel through the eye of a needle is far more difficult than the passage of a rich man through the gate of the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:24-25).
  • The impoverished widow is able to give away whatever she has for the sake of God because she believes in him (Luke 21:1-4).
  • Jesus, on the other hand, is not discouraged since “what is impossible for men is possible for God” (Luke 18:27).
  • He is the source of all good things.
  • If you are affluent, the current state of affairs is satisfactory.
  • In the case of the affluent ruler, this causes him to become blind to the prospect that life with Jesus may be incomparably lovely for him.
  • Perhaps he would have accepted Jesus’ offer if he had been able to envision how it would more than compensate for the loss of his material possessions.
  • This is the punch line.

This is the opportunity that the wealthy ruler is unfortunately missing out on. He can only see what he will lose, and not what he will gain as a result of his actions. The narrative of the affluent king is recounted in further depth under the heading “Mark 10:17-31” in Mark and Workat.

What the Bible says about Parable of the Rich Young Man

Topical StudiesWhat the Bible says about Parable of the Rich Young Man (FromForerunner Commentary)Matthew 19:16-26We see a very polite, respectful, and eager young man who leaves Christ and goes away sorrowful. Why? The story makes it clear that he is young, and Luke tells us he is a ruler (Luke 18:18), possibly a magistrate or a kind of Justice of thePeace.In the parallel account in Mark, we are told that the young man came “running” up to Christ and “knelt” before him (Mark 10:17), indicating a sense of urgency and respect.

A more respectful greeting may not be found in the entire Bible.This young man came, not to tempt Christ, but to learn from him.

A man of wealth will often trust his riches and not be interested in whatGodhas to offer.

He knew something must be done to attain this happiness; eternal life is not a game of chance or blind fate.Romans 2:6-7tells us that we are rewarded for our works, good and bad, and that “eternal lifeto those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.”Christ’s response to all this is interesting.

  1. Then Jesus tells him to “keep the commandments,” specifically listing the last six of the Ten Commandments, the ones dealing with human-to-human relationships.
  2. In order to have eternal life, “keep the commandments.” How do today’s professing Christians, who claim the law has been done away, get around this simple instruction?
  3. What else should he do?
  4. In Mark’s account, it says He looked at him and “loved him.” Possibly, this man was adept at keeping the letter of the law, but he was coming up short in abiding by the spirit of the law.
  5. The way the young man phrased his question, “What do I still lack?” smacks a bit of pride or self-righteousness.
  6. Show me where I’m coming up short.”Unlike what many of us would do, Christ avoids becoming mired in a dispute about this claim, but gets right to the bottom line: The young man’s love ofthe world.
  7. Yet, the young ruler was unwilling to do this.

His money exerted a stronger tug on his heart than Christ did.

He did not pretend he could do this when he could not.

Being both thoughtful and well-intentioned, he went away “sorrowful.”What did he possess that had such a hold on him as to make him willing to walk away from eternal life?

Maybe he had the latest and hottest SUV?

What did he really trust in?

The Bible is full of examples of godly men who were very wealthy—for instance, great men of God like Abraham,Isaac, Jacob, Job, and David.

Advertisements call to us constantly, informing us of “needs” we did not even know we had.

We may not think of it this way, but it could be considered a blessing not to have great wealth because of the additional stress it can put on our spiritual lives.It is instructive to study what Christ had to say to His disciples after the rich young ruler sadly walked away.TwiceJesus tells us how hard it is for the rich to enter theKingdom of God.

  1. In fact, Jesus goes on to say, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.Matthew 19:23-26This proverb has always been intriguing.
  2. The only way a camel could get through this “Eye of the Needle” was to be unloaded and crawl through on its knees.
  3. The camelcouldgo through the “Eye of the Needle,” but only after being stripped of its baggage—its wealth!The only problem with this story is that it is not true!
  4. The story was first told several centuries ago and has been repeated ever since.
  5. Can this be done?
  6. That is the point!
  7. Some have suggested that there is a misprint in the Greek.

Ah, but what if one uses a six-inch carpet needle, and the rope is actually made of camel’s hair?

Christ was using hyperbole, just as He did when He spoke of a plank being in one’s eye while attempting to remove the splinter in a brother’s eye (Matthew 7:3-4).

The camel was the largest animal regularly seen in Israel, and its contrast with the small size of a needle’s eye shows the utter impossibility of the effort to squeeze the former through the latter.

Is it because we secretly—or even openly—desire wealth and do not want any biblical negativity slowing us down?

To reiterate, the wealth itself is not the problem, but our attachment to it or what it can buy.Jesus’ disciples were horrified at His words.

It is very simple.

He does not mean just the wealthy cannot be saved, butno onecan be saved through his money, his skills, his talents, his intellect, or his good looks!During the time of Christ, the Jews believed that wealth and prosperity were a sign of God’s blessing, so the reaction of His disciples is sheer incredulity.

  • Are we somehow better than those with more physical goods?
  • We can be tempted from the path of righteousness by just about anything.
  • While the rich young ruler walked away from Christ, extremely sad that he could not make that leap offaith, what in our own lives has the same hold on us?
  • Demas lovedthe world; the particulars are not divulged.
  • Someone who loves the world, whether rich or poor, will not be in God’s Kingdom (James 4:4;I John 2:15-17).The point is that we do not achieve salvation through our own efforts; it is fromGodalone, by His grace.

We have our part to play and are rewarded for our efforts, as Romans 2 explains, but when God takes us from this world, works with us, blesses us, and brings us into His Family, it is truly a miracle.Mark 10:17-24Mark 10:17-24tells the tragic story of a wealthy young man who greatly desired to become part ofJesus ‘ following.

When Christ replied that he would have to get rid of all he had, his high ideals came crashing down.

Jesus says in verse 24: “And the disciples were astonished at His words.

A tragic process begins when we become involved in sin.

If we continue to commit the sin, we will still feel ill at ease and unhappy about it, but gradually our consciences will adjust.

Each sin makes the next one a bit easier. Over time, the conduct will become entirely acceptable, and we will sin without a qualm. Sin is addictive like a drug. As the addiction becomes stronger, the ideal depreciates until it is completely gone.

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