CHRIST’S WORDS TO THE RICH YOUNG RULER

 

Some months ago I talked with a man who had twisted Christ’s statement to the rich young ruler, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me,” into a total distortion of the gospel (Matthew 19:21). Therefore, let us consider what Christ actually said, and why He said it.

          To begin with, we need to remember that this man (the man Christ was talking to) did not think that he had any sin. Therefore, what Christ said was aimed at showing him that he did not love the Lord with all his heart, and he did not love his neighbor as himself (Matthew 22:37-39). We also need to understand that wealthy Jews often assumed that their wealth was evidence of God’s favor. For that reason, they often trusted in that wealth instead of trusting in God’s mercy (Compare Mark 10:24 with Psalm 13:5). Therefore, Christ’s statement was also aimed at eliminating that false object of faith (the man’s wealth), while asking him to do something that would require him to place his faith in Christ. In other words, when Christ told the rich young ruler to give what he had to the poor, He was telling him to stop trusting in his riches (1Timothy 6:17). And, when He told the rich young ruler to follow Him, He was telling him to place his faith in Him. There is no salvation apart from faith in Christ, and there never has been (Acts 4:12).