Mark 10:17–31 (NASB95)
The Rich Young Ruler
17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 “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.’ ”
20 And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.”
21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
22 But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.
23 And Jesus, looking around, *said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus *answered again and *said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
25 “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 They were even more astonished and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?”
27 Looking at them, Jesus *said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”
28 Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.”
29 Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake,
30 but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.
31 “But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.”
In the last days, as we await the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is crucial for us as believers to examine our hearts and attitudes towards wealth. The passage in Mark 10:17-31 provides valuable insights into the dangers that wealth can pose and the true priorities that should guide our lives.
In this passage, a rich young ruler approaches Jesus and asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. When Jesus tells him to sell his possessions and give to the poor, the young man walks away sorrowful, for he had great wealth. This encounter prompts Jesus to teach His disciples about the challenges that wealth presents and the radical mindset required to follow Him faithfully.
One of the dangers of wealth is that it can easily become an idol in our lives. Material possessions and wealth can lure us into a false sense of security, self-sufficiency, and worldly comfort. Our hearts can become attached to our possessions, leading us to prioritize them above our relationship with God and our commitment to His kingdom.
Another danger is that wealth can foster a spirit of self-reliance and self-righteousness. The rich young ruler in the passage believed that he had kept the commandments from his youth, yet he still lacked the one thing necessary—wholehearted surrender to Jesus. Wealth can deceive us into thinking that we can earn our way to eternal life or that our possessions can fulfill us, instead of recognizing our need for God’s grace and salvation.
Furthermore, wealth can distract us from the true treasures of the kingdom of God. Jesus highlights the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom, comparing it to a camel passing through the eye of a needle. He emphasizes that it is easier for God to work in the lives of those who are willing to let go of their attachment to worldly possessions.
In the last days, the dangers of wealth are even more pertinent. Materialism and the pursuit of riches can be pervasive in our society, leading many astray from the narrow path of discipleship. The pursuit of wealth can consume our time, energy, and resources, leaving little room for seeking God and serving others.
So, what is the antidote to the dangers of wealth in the last days? It is a heart that is fully surrendered to Christ and treasures that are laid up in heaven. We must cultivate a mindset of generosity, stewardship, and contentment, recognizing that everything we have ultimately belongs to God. We are called to use our resources for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom.
Let us heed the warning from Mark 10:17-31 and be vigilant in examining our relationship with wealth. May we prioritize our devotion to God above all else, recognizing that true riches are found in a deep and abiding relationship with Him. In doing so, we will navigate the perils of wealth in the last days and live as faithful stewards of the blessings God has entrusted to us.
