When the eager young ruler came to Jesus he asked, “Good teacher what must I do to inherit eternal life?” The answer is as important to us today as it was to the young man—even though it's somewhat confusing.
He was told to sell everything he owned and to come and follow Jesus. When we read this we may wonder, do I have to be poor in order to inherit eternal life? Must I sell all my possessions in order to please the Lord?
We get a clue from the man's reaction to the Lord's request. He went away sad because he didn't want to sell everything he owned. Although he professed his love for Jesus, he obviously loved his wealth more.
Once again Jesus demonstrates His ability to know our hearts. He knew full well that the young man loved his wealth. Jesus asks us to love Him above all things. Love of money will not get us eternal life.
However, although Jesus made an effective point with the young man, we shouldn't take from this story that Jesus wants everyone to sell all their possessions in order to have treasure in heaven.
What Jesus did to the young man was show him just how much he trusted in wealth and how impossible it was for him to trust the Saviour while he served a god of gold.
Many people today in the west have more faith in their wealth, their excellent medical system, their retirement savings—than they have in the Lord.
When I was in Malawi (one of the world’s poorest countries), and ministered to Christians there, I was impressed with their earnest worship and devotion to the Lord. Although they were among the poorest people in the world, they were rich beyond measure. They treasured the Lord above everything.
Are you sad today because you don't have much by way of earthly treasure? You should rejoice, because now you can give all of your trust and love to the Saviour and offer Him heart felt praise.
J.C. Ryle summarizes it well when he says, “Riches, which all desire to obtain—riches, for which men labor and toil, and become gray before their time—riches are a most perilous possession. They often inflict great injury on the soul. They lead men into many temptations. They engross men's thoughts and affections. They bind heavy burdens on the heart, and make the way to heaven even more difficult than it naturally is. Let us beware of the love of money. It is possible to use it well, and do good with it. But for each one who makes a right use of money, there are thousands who make a wrong use of it, and do harm both to themselves and others.”
The person who has Christ and all the wealth of this life, is no richer than the poorest person who has Christ alone.
Be content with what you have Christian friend because you have the Lord and He is enough.
