The Rich Young Ruler pt3

The Rich Young Ruler pt3

It’s not the Money

“As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’ ” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.”

Mark 10:17-22 NIV

This story has become somewhat famous for its take on the evils of money.  But is it really the money?  I mean we all need money to live, we have to have it.  So then what was the problem? 

Jesus was never one to beat around the bush.  So He gets right to the point.  But first we see that Jesus looked at the young man and was moved.  It says He, “loved him.”  This was not a human love but a Devine love.  Jesus was moved with compassion and love.  So what Jesus said next was said with Devine Love.  Young man you lack one thing.  In this case it was money.  And for some of us it may be money.  But money is not the point.  The point was the young man had something in his life that he had put before God.  He lacked one thing.  What is it you lack?  Is there anything in your life you have put before God? It could be money, or it might be something else, job/work, your kids, drugs, sex, pleasure, lack of self control, anger, bitterness, jealousy, or any other thing.  That’s the point, in each of our lives a time comes when Jesus says, you lack one thing.  Now what will you do.  In the case of the rich young ruler he went away sad.  Why? Because he was not willing to give that, “one thing” to God.  He said, “No” and in so doing he disobeyed Jesus.  You see it was not the money.  It was his refusal to obey God.  When he walked away sad, I’m sure he was not the only one that was sad.  I’m sure that Jesus was also sad.  Jesus loved this young man and he watched as the young man rejected Him and walked away.  When Jesus comes to you and says. “There is something I want you to get out of your life.” What will you do? Will you be like the young man and refuse to obey God or will you say to Him yes Lord.  You see money was not the issue, obedience was the issue.  Obedience has always been the issue as it was two thousand years ago so it is today.  Always remember that God loves you and if there is anything in your life that comes before Him (that’s called an idol) then He will ask you to get it out.  Will you obey?