“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)
In Mark 10:17–22 a wealthy young man approached Jesus and asked how he might inherit eternal life. Jesus’ response was twofold. First, he called the young man to soberly reflect on who is good. “No one is good—except God alone,” Jesus declared. The young man needed to consider carefully the implications of his question. Goodness flows from God alone. After Jesus pointed out the importance of obeying God’s commands, the young man acknowledged that he had kept them all. He thought his good deeds were key to inheriting eternal life. Jesus’ second point brought the man to a realization of his key stumbling block—the love of wealth. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven,” Jesus told him. “Then come, follow me.” Jesus loved him, the text notes. The most loving thing to do is to bring people face-to-face with the real issues of their hearts.
KEY QUESTIONS:
How does reflecting on God’s goodness prevent me from arrogance? How might I deflect praise after receiving words of approval? Have I grappled with the difference between the love of wealth and the love of life—the latter whose quality can increase for others when the former is earned and invested wisely?
