Rich Young Man
16 Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. 19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 20 “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” 21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Matthew 19:16-22 NLT
This section of scripture is often referred to as the parable of the Rich Young Man. The man comes to Jesus asking how to get into Heaven. Jesus proceeds to list several of the 10 commandments and the 2nd of the greatest commandments, to which the Rich Young Man says he’s obeyed all these and asks what else? But then Jesus tells him to sell all his possessions, give the money to the poor, and then come follow Him. Jesus even told the man that in doing so he’d have treasure in heaven. “But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.”
Jesus revealed that the Rich Young Man hadn’t really kept the 1st of the 10 commandments (have no other gods before Me) or the greatest commandment (love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind); because he wasn’t willing to give up his possessions for Jesus. I often refer to Matthew 6:24,“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”
Jesus is not calling all Christians to sell their possessions and give the money to the poor, but we should be willing to do so cheerfully if called upon. A key thing to remember is that God owns it ALL, even our money. From this perspective it isn’t OUR money to begin with, rather it’s money that God has called us to be good stewards of for his Glory.
Money and possessions can provide a false sense of security, which is one of the reasons I believe the Rich Young Man didn’t want to give them up. But we must remember that our needs are not met because of money; but because of God.