Introduction The Rich Young Ruler: Give Up Everything?
The story of the Rich Young Ruler is one of the most profound and often misunderstood encounters in the New Testament. In this powerful account, Jesus challenges the ruler’s concept of wealth, faith, and eternal life, inviting him to give up his riches and follow Him. This article will explore the biblical passage in-depth, offering insight into the rich young ruler’s background, his question about eternal life, Jesus’ response, and the deeper theological implications of the exchange.
Who Was the Rich Young Ruler?
The story of the Rich Young Ruler appears in all three Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31, and Luke 18:18-30. While each account adds slightly different details, they all paint the picture of a wealthy, young man who is morally upright, religious, and deeply concerned with inheriting eternal life. Here’s a breakdown of his identity as revealed in the Gospels:
- Rich: All three Gospels mention that this man possessed great wealth, making him part of the elite class in society.
- Young: Matthew’s Gospel refers to him as “young” (Matthew 19:20). His youth likely signifies that he had achieved his wealth at a relatively early stage in life, indicating that he was both prosperous and successful.
- Ruler: Luke’s Gospel adds the detail that he was a ruler (Luke 18:18), possibly suggesting that he was a religious leader or local magistrate, someone with authority and influence in his community.
With his moral standing, wealth, and position, the young man is a picture of success by worldly standards. Yet, despite all his achievements, he is concerned about something even greater—eternal life.
The Rich Young Ruler’s Question: How Do I Inherit Eternal Life?
The story begins with the young ruler approaching Jesus and asking,
“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17, ESV).
His question reveals a deep concern about his spiritual state. Despite his wealth and status, he recognizes that something is missing. He approaches Jesus with reverence, calling Him “Good Teacher,” showing respect and acknowledging His spiritual authority.
This question is foundational to the story because it reflects the young man’s desire for eternal security. However, the phrasing of his question—“What must I do?”—suggests that he believes eternal life is something that can be earned through good deeds or righteous actions.
Jesus’ Initial Response: A Challenge to the Young Man’s Understanding of Goodness
Before answering the young man’s question, Jesus challenges his use of the term “good.” He says,
“Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18, ESV)
This response may seem surprising, but Jesus is subtly shifting the young man’s understanding of righteousness. The young ruler, like many others, had a human-centered view of goodness, equating it with moral uprightness or religious piety. Jesus points him toward a deeper truth: ultimate goodness belongs to God alone.
Keeping the Commandments
After this initial challenge, Jesus begins to answer the young man’s question by referring to the commandments:
“You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother'” (Mark 10:19, ESV)
This list of commandments is notable for a few reasons. First, they are part of the second half of the Ten Commandments, which deal with how we relate to other people. These are ethical and moral laws that emphasize justice, honesty, and respect for others. Interestingly, Jesus does not initially mention the first half of the commandments, which deal directly with our relationship with God. This omission sets the stage for the later part of the conversation.
The young man confidently replies,
“Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth” (Mark 10:20, ESV)
His response reveals his strict adherence to the law, and in his mind, he has done everything required to live a righteous life. However, Jesus sees beyond his outward obedience and addresses the one thing he still lacks.
Jesus’ Call to Radical Discipleship: “Sell All That You Have”
Jesus’ next statement is one of the most challenging in all of Scripture. He looks at the young man, loves him, and says,
“You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Mark 10:21, ESV)
This statement cuts to the heart of the young man’s true spiritual condition. While he may have kept the commandments related to how he treated others, he still lacked wholehearted devotion to God. His wealth, which gave him status and security, had become an idol—something he valued more than God. By asking him to sell all his possessions, Jesus is not merely giving him another task to complete. He is inviting him into a radical discipleship that prioritizes God above all else.
Why Did Jesus Ask Him to Give Up Everything?
At first glance, it might seem that Jesus was asking the young man to give up his wealth simply as a test of obedience. However, Jesus’ request goes deeper. The man’s riches had become a barrier between him and God. By holding onto his wealth, he was holding onto a false sense of security, identity, and power. Jesus recognized that the only way for the young man to truly follow Him was to relinquish the one thing that stood in the way of a complete and undivided relationship with God.
In this sense, Jesus’ command was not just about giving to the poor but about freeing the young man from the chains of materialism and self-reliance. The act of selling everything would not only help others but would also help the young man by releasing him from the idol of wealth and teaching him to depend entirely on God.
The Young Ruler’s Reaction: Grief and Sorrow
The Gospel accounts tell us that the young ruler’s reaction was not what we might expect. Instead of embracing the opportunity to follow Jesus, he is disheartened.
“Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:22, ESV)
His grief reveals the depth of his attachment to his wealth. Despite his desire for eternal life, he was unwilling to let go of his material possessions, demonstrating that his love for wealth outweighed his desire to follow Jesus.
This part of the story is both tragic and instructive. The young ruler had come so close to the truth, yet his attachment to worldly things kept him from fully surrendering to Christ. His sorrow highlights the tension many people experience when confronted with the call to radical discipleship. It shows how difficult it can be to let go of earthly treasures in exchange for heavenly ones.
Jesus’ Teaching on Wealth and the Kingdom of God
As the young man walks away, Jesus turns to His disciples and makes a striking statement:
“How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23, ESV)
This declaration astonishes the disciples, who, like many in their culture, viewed wealth as a sign of God’s favor and blessing. In their eyes, the rich were the most likely to enter the kingdom because their wealth gave them the ability to perform charitable deeds, support religious causes, and live comfortably without worrying about survival.
However, Jesus’ statement turns this assumption upside down. He elaborates further, saying,
“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:25, ESV)
This hyperbolic metaphor emphasizes the near impossibility of a wealthy person entering the kingdom if they rely on their riches rather than on God. The problem is not wealth itself but the trust that people place in it.
The Disciples’ Concern: Who Then Can Be Saved?
In response to Jesus’ teaching, the disciples ask,
“Then who can be saved?” (Mark 10:26, ESV)
This question reflects their bewilderment. If the wealthy, who seem to have every advantage, find it so difficult to enter the kingdom, what hope is there for anyone else? Jesus’ response is both comforting and challenging:
“With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27, ESV)
This statement underscores the central message of the Gospel: salvation is not something that can be earned by human effort, wealth, or status. It is a gift of God’s grace. While it is impossible for humans to achieve salvation on their own, God makes it possible through His grace and power.
The Reward of Sacrifice: Eternal Life and Blessings
At this point, Peter speaks up, reminding Jesus,
“See, we have left everything and followed you” (Mark 10:28, ESV)
Peter’s statement highlights the disciples’ willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of following Jesus. In contrast to the rich young ruler, the disciples had left behind their homes, families, and livelihoods to pursue the kingdom of God.
Jesus affirms their sacrifice, saying,
“Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30, ESV).
This promise reveals the paradox of the kingdom of God. Those who give up earthly treasures for the sake of the Gospel will receive far greater rewards—not only in the life to come but also in this present age. However, Jesus also acknowledges that following Him will not be without hardship. Persecution is part of the package, but the ultimate reward is eternal life.
Theological Implications: What Does It Mean to “Give Up Everything”?
The story of the Rich Young Ruler forces us to confront some of the most challenging teachings of Jesus about wealth, discipleship, and the kingdom of God. But what does it mean to “give up everything”? Does Jesus call all of His followers to sell all their possessions, or is there a deeper principle at work?
Wealth and Idolatry
At the heart of the story is the issue of idolatry. For the rich young ruler, wealth had become an idol—something he trusted in more than God. In this sense, Jesus’ call to “give up everything” is a call to renounce anything that takes the place of God in our hearts. For some, this may be wealth. For others, it might be power, relationships, career ambitions, or personal achievements.
Jesus’ words challenge us to examine our own lives and ask, “What is my treasure?” If we find that something other than God has become the source of our security, identity, and hope, then we are called to let it go and trust in Him fully.
The Cost of Discipleship
The story also highlights the cost of discipleship. Jesus does not promise an easy path for those who follow Him. On the contrary, He warns that it will require sacrifice and self-denial. However, He also assures us that the rewards far outweigh the sacrifices. While the rich young ruler could not see beyond his earthly possessions, Jesus offered a vision of a far greater treasure—eternal life with God.
Application: How Do We Apply the Lesson of the Rich Young Ruler Today?
The story of the Rich Young Ruler continues to resonate with believers today, especially in a world where wealth and material success are often idolized. How can we apply the lessons from this encounter in our own lives?
1. Assess Our Attachments
Like the rich young ruler, we need to assess what we are holding onto. Is there something in our lives that is keeping us from fully surrendering to God? Whether it’s money, career, relationships, or personal ambitions, we must be willing to let go of anything that hinders our relationship with Christ.
2. Cultivate Generosity
One practical way to guard against the idolatry of wealth is to cultivate a spirit of generosity. Jesus calls us to give to the poor and to use our resources to bless others. By doing so, we demonstrate that our trust is in God, not in our possessions.
3. Follow Jesus Wholeheartedly
Finally, the story calls us to follow Jesus with our whole hearts. The rich young ruler wanted eternal life, but he was not willing to fully surrender to Christ. True discipleship requires us to lay down our lives, take up our cross, and follow Him, trusting that the rewards He offers are far greater than anything this world can provide.
Conclusion: The Challenge of Radical Discipleship
The story of the Rich Young Ruler challenges us to rethink our relationship with wealth, security, and faith. Jesus’ call to “give up everything” is not about earning salvation but about removing the obstacles that prevent us from fully trusting in Him. While the young man walked away sorrowful, we are invited to embrace the joy and freedom that comes from following Christ wholeheartedly, knowing that in Him, we find the true treasure of eternal life.