The Rich Young Ruler

Scripture

Luke 18:18–30 CSB

18 A ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and mother.” 21 “I have kept all these from my youth,” he said. 22 When Jesus heard this, he told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell all you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 After he heard this, he became extremely sad, because he was very rich. 24 Seeing that he became sad, Jesus said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For 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.” 26 Those who heard this asked, “Then who can be saved?” 27 He replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” 28 Then Peter said, “Look, we have left what we had and followed you.” 29 So he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left a house, wife or brothers or sisters, parents or children because of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more at this time, and eternal life in the age to come.”

Intro

Life Application Bible Commentary, Luke Jesus Speaks to the Rich Young Man / 18:18–30 / 175

This young “ruler” had business sense. Getting rich was no problem, but he knew that someday he was going to die. What’s the use of money if you can’t keep it?

Sometimes people come to Jesus for life insurance—they would rather not lose everything at death. But Jesus’ call is one step deeper, beyond possessions to the real self.

Are you God’s child, whatever you own? Are you Jesus’ disciple, whatever the cost? Becoming a Christian means happily surrendering the best of earth for the brightest of heaven. Have you placed your possessions and wealth fully under God’s control?

can a christian be a genuine christian and also a billionaire?

one man joke about being a millionaires

He was a wealthy man, and a young man. His eyes were set on religious matters - on teachers, eternal life, good deeds. He had the look of a seeker: he seemed willing to listen and eager to learn. He seemed a disciple-in-the-making. But his story has a dark end. It was he that inspired Jesus famous words "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom." . Let us examine his account of the fateful meeting.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Seventeen: People to Meet, Lessons to Learn (Luke 18)

The rich young ruler (Matt. 19:20) may be the only man in the Gospels who came to the feet of Jesus and went away in worse condition than when he came

4 mistakes the rich young ruler made

The 1st mistake: He did not recognize Jesus as Lord

vs 18-19

The young ruler came rushing to Jesus, and falling to his knees, he asked "Good teacher, what good thing need I to do, so that I may have real and un-ending life?" Jesus, perceiving the youth’s mistakeness, answered with a question, a question that would prove the depths of the young ruler’s knowledge of God. "Why do you call me good?"

Jesus was in the habit of asking such disarming questions. The young man did not recognize with whom he was talking - a teacher, and more than a teacher. He was kneeling before the one called "greater than Solomon." The young ruler saw Jesus as a moral man, a man of insight and depth, but he did not recognize His divine authority. And to make such a mistake is fatal. As C.S. Lewis made clear, Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. He cannot be only another teacher.

Today we have many people who believe in Jesus but not as Lord.

The 2nd Mistake: He was unaware of his own faults

vs 20-21

how many of you know people who unaware of their faults but refuse to admit they have faults.

They could have a drinking problem, a lying problem. They wont admit it.

This man believed or he was lying to Jesus that he kept the law.

Suppose for a moment that the wealthy youth had never violated the commandments Jesus presented to him. Suppose that he had never murdered - even with his tongue. Suppose that he had not committed adultery - even in his heart. Suppose that he had not stolen - or even envied. Suppose that he had never spoken less than the whole truth. Even still he was unaware of his own faultiness. Did you notice that Jesus only presented him with the parts of the law that deal with man-to-man relationships. The other commandments have to do with God-to-man relationships, and this young man had obviously not fulfilled those commands. If he had fulfilled them, he would have immediately recognized Jesus as the Son of God. But he did not recognize Jesus, and he did not tell the truth to Him about his behavior. He was wildly naive and tragically blind.

The 3rd Mistake: He misunderstood the plan of grace

"What good thing must I do to have eternal life?" There is no good thing. Only to believe on Jesus Christ as Savior. As wealthy as he must have been, he was spiritually bankrupt, and terribly poor of faith.

it’s not about your good works its about God’s goodness and grace on your life

all other religions say do

Nobody is saved by giving all his wealth to the poor, but nobody can be saved who will not repent of his sins and turn away from them. This young man was possessed by the love of money and he would not let go.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 250). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Seventeen: People to Meet, Lessons to Learn (Luke 18)

The young man thought that eternal life came to those who “did something” (Luke 18:18), which was a typical Jewish conviction (Luke 18:9–12). But when Jesus gave him something to do, he refused to obey! He wanted salvation on his terms, not God’s, so he turned and went away in great sorrow.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 250). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Seventeen: People to Meet, Lessons to Learn (Luke 18)

It is not possessing riches that keeps people out of heaven, for Abraham, David, and Solomon were wealthy men. It is being possessed by riches and trusting them that makes salvation difficult for the wealthy. Wealth gives people a false sense of success and security, and when people are satisfied with themselves, they feel no need for God.

GRACE

Our faith in Christ is squarely founded on grace. We have received what we don't deserve and have not received what we do deserve. None of us are more worthy of God's grace than any other. Everyone is unworthy. The missionary serving in Africa is no more worthy than the worst sinner who comes to Christ on his deathbed. The Ground is Level at the foot of the Cross - Pastor Todd Mullins