“A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’[a]” 21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Luke 18.18-27
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6.21
I believe it’s important to interpret the story of the rich young ruler in the context of what Jesus taught in Matthew 6. It’s not that he couldn’t be saved. The point is: Where do you put your wealth?
The rich young ruler who came to Jesus had obeyed all the commandments since he was a child. He was a very “good” person. He had not committed adultery, murdered, or stolen. He had honored his mother and father. He had obeyed all the commands of God—at least those Jesus mentioned. But what Jesus does not ask him is significant.
These were the Ten Commandments God gave to Moses, and the rich young ruler had obeyed most of them—but perhaps not the first three:
“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.” (Exodus 20:3-7)
The first three commandments focus on worshipping, loving, and obeying God, as opposed to how we treat other people. Perhaps the young ruler had focused more on being a good citizen than on wholehearted devotion to God. Maybe he was “rich” in relationships, social standing, and reputation, yet he placed material possessions above God—making them an idol and thus misusing the name of the Lord. Perhaps Jesus did not ask if he had obeyed all the commands because the ruler had focused only on those that benefited him.
Being rich is not a sin, but where we place our wealth, how we use it, and what we treasure can certainly lead to disobedience to God. This may sound like something someone with wealth would say, but I would return us to Matthew 6:21: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Where is the position of our hearts? Do we place loving God as our highest treasure, or are we more concerned with our reputation and what others think of us than with knowing, loving, and serving the Lord?
This week I am on vacation in Mexico, and it is truly fabulous. The resort we are staying at is spectacular. The food is great, the service is beyond compare, and the company is wonderful. Yet in the midst of it all, resting in the Lord is on my mind—finding time to love Him, adore Him, and honor Him. In this very well-to-do environment, I am putting my trust and my wealth in Him. He is the object of my eye. I am thankful for the reminder to let Him be my treasure.
Wherever you may be today, whatever amount God has allowed you to accumulate in your bank account is not necessarily a reflection of your relationship with Him. God needs people with resources. He blesses us so that we might be a blessing. Yet in the midst of it all, keep Christ as your treasure. He is our life and He is our light.
“O Lord God, thank you for the cross, for allowing me to know and love you. Thank you for calling me back to obedience and devotion. In the midst of my own weakness, you are my strength. When I am weary, you renew my soul. You have done great things and will continue to reign in this world and beyond. Thank you for calling me to follow you. O Lord Jesus, you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen.