The Story of Jesus

The Rich Young Ruler

One day a young man came running to meet Jesus. This rich young man wore expensive clothing. Kneeling down in the dust before Jesus, he said, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"

"Why do you call me good?" asked Jesus. "There is none good but God. You know the commandments—'Do not 

kill'; 'Do not steal'; 'Do not speak falsely'; 'Honor your father and your mother.' "

"Yes, I know the commandments of Moses," answered the young man, "and I have kept them from childhood. But I seem to lack something yet. 0 Master, tell me what it is!"

Jesus looked into the young man's face and loved him. How Jesus longed to help him! Jesus said, "You lack one thing. If you would be perfectly happy, go home and sell all you have and give your riches to the poor. Then you will have riches in heaven. Afterwards you may come back and be my disciple."

What a change came over the young man's face when he heard these words! With bowed head he walked slowly away, for he loved his riches.

Jesus watched him go away. Turning to the disciples he said, "How hard it is for rich men to enter the kingdom of God!" The young man loved his riches more than he loved God. He could not be happy, for his heart was not right with God. Always he would feel something was lacking, something clouding his hope of life in heaven. But he turned away from Jesus, choosing rather to be rich in this world than to be a disciple of the Lord.