In The Word
Read: Mark 10:17-31
The Rich Young Ruler
17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.19 You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’”20 And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.”21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.
23 And Jesus, looking around, *said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus *answered again and *said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 They were even more astonished and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Looking at them, Jesus *said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”
28 Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.”29 Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, 30 but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Culture tends to dictate policy. This was true even in Jesus’ time. Culture said that the more you had the better your chance to make it to heaven. It was with this knowledge that a rich man asked Jesus about inheriting eternal life. Surely, everyone listening knew that this man who had great wealth was first in line for eternal inheritance. But Jesus was not dictated by cultural issue or policy. He is the Author of truth.
Jesus’ response cut through the cultural religion of this man with surgical precision. This was not what the man was expecting. No pat on the back, no boost of self-assurance. What he received was the medicine that his soul required: Truth. Please note that Jesus did not shy away because this man could have sponsored His mission or because the man might not follow Him. Wealth does not impress God. Jesus says here that in most cases it provides a great stumbling block for people. God is moved when people desire eternal wealth over earthly wealth and when they will forsake the treasures of this world for the life to come.
The truth is, when we surrender to follow Jesus, we are all commanded to deny ourselves (Matthew 16:24). What great promise awaits those who will take their wealth and place it under the authority of God! For them there will be a hundredfold return, now on earth, as well as a glorious eternal life. Dear friend, do not let the temporary wealth of this life prevent you from the eternal life of God.