God or Money? The Challenge of the Rich Young Ruler
Picture the scene: a young ruler, rich and well-respected, walks right up to Jesus. He has it all – money, success, a good reputation and maybe even a bit of envy and respect from the neighbors.
On top of that, he is religious and has done everything “right.” Yet, something tugs at his heart so he asks Jesus a sincere question, “Good Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?”. He explains that he has kept all the commandments since his youth, yet despite this, he senses something is still missing.
Back in those days, wealth wasn’t just about comfort or fancy stuff. People saw it as a sign that God was especially pleased with you. If you were rich and respected, you must be doing faith right, or that’s what everyone thought.
When Jesus responds, He surprises everyone. Instead of praising the man for his good track record, He looks beneath the surface. He sees that deep down in this man’s heart he is focused on everything that he has – his wealth, power and his own sense of control.
So Jesus asks him to do something radical.
“Go, sell all you have, give it to the poor, and follow Me.”
Jesus said this not because He wants Christians everywhere to be poor, but rather because He could see that this mans status, wealth and self reliance were standing between him and real trust in God.
Today’s Scripture
“When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’”
Luke 18:22, ESV
Breaking Down the Verse
“One thing you still lack…”
Despite the young rulers outward appearance, moral goodness, and obedience to the law, he was still missing something: A wholehearted devotion to God. Following God is not about outward rule-keeping, but surrendering your heart.
“Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor…”
Jesus saw that the young ruler’s wealth was his greatest obstacle. God doesn’t call every Christian to give away all their possessions, but rather He asks us to confront and get rid of anything that takes His place in our lives. in the young rulers case it was money, security and his identity.
“…and you will have treasure in heaven…”
Jesus offers us something much more valuable than earthly riches and status. He offers us eternal treasure and a relationship with God showing that letting go of worldly security is not a loss but rather a gain.
“…and come, follow me.”
Ultimately, Jesus called the young ruler (and each of us) to let go of the idols we carry in our hearts and follow Him wholeheartedly, with nothing in the way.
What This Means for Us Today
We may not be “rich rulers,” but we all have things that we hold on tightly to. Maybe it’s money, a job, your reputation, your plans for the future, or even something good, like family or comfort. Just like the young man, we can all do things that outwardly look right but still miss what Jesus is really after: our hearts.
So the question is, is there something you can’t imagine letting go of if God asked you to?
Faith in Action
How do we apply the “rich young ruler lesson” in daily life, especially regarding “Jesus and wealth” and “giving up everything for God”?
Journaling Prompts
Affirmation
I am not defined by what I have but by who I belong to.
Prayer for the Day
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for loving me enough to confront the idols in my heart. Show me anything I love or trust more than You. Give me the courage to let go of earthly attachments, to practice true generosity, and to follow You wherever You lead. Help me to use all that I have for Your glory and to find my true treasure in You alone.
Amen.
