Luke 18:18-23

A ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! For 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.”^[1] 

This is an interesting account that people over the ages have attempted to use to justify all sorts of theological positions. Some have tried to use the passage to justify eschewing all forms of wealth. It has been used to justify the belief that possession of riches disqualifies one from the Kingdom of God. But the passage really has a much narrower focus that is rather simplistic. A ruler comes to Jesus inquiring what he must do to inherit eternal life. His question, unlike that of many other Pharisees and scribes, was not intended to trick Jesus into saying something that might be used against Him to indict Him, but grew from a sincere desire to know.

This ruler calls Jesus, “Good Teacher,” a term reserved for God, indicating that he could see Jesus was no ordinary man. Jesus’ response to the ruler is interesting because he picks out four of the ten commandments with which to question him. His question implies more is needed than simple knowledge of them, but adherence or obedience to them. It is not clear why Jesus asks about these four commandments and not any of the remaining six. Perhaps they are referenced because they all have to do with how one treats their neighbor. It is these four commandments that form the basis of Jesus’ indictment of the ruler. Jesus tells him that though he has obeyed these four he still comes up short because something remains unaddressed. He must go and sell all he has and give it to the poor.

Let us be very clear, Jesus is not advocating voluntary poverty. But He is advocating voluntary devotion. Luke tells us the ruler went away “very sad, for he was extremely rich.” He had been so successful keeping these four relational commandments but failed the test because he was most devoted to his wealth. We are to have no other gods before our God, and we are not to bow and worship before any graven images. Anything that we cannot part with for the sake of serving the Lord is a god in our life. This was true for this ruler. His heart wanted to be with Jesus, but was with his money instead, because where your treasure is, there will be your heart also. What stands in the way of your unconditional commitment to the Lord today?

Dear Lord, we like to think and believe we have given up all to follow You, but we confess to harboring secret treasure. Forgive us of our adultery. Forgive us for trusting in mammon more than we trust You. Forgive us for treasuring things, people, their applause and flattery more than You. Give us the courage today to take honest inventory of our lives ready to discard anything, regardless of how insignificant or small, that stands between us and You. Amen.

^[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Lk 18:18–25.