The Danger of Wealth and the Call to Surrender
“Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’” — Mark 10:21 (ESV)
In the last days, as we await the return of Christ, we must examine our hearts and our relationship with wealth. The story of the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-31 is a sobering reminder that money and possessions can become barriers to wholehearted discipleship. This passage challenges us to consider what holds our affections and whether we are truly surrendered to Jesus.
Wealth as an Idol
The rich young ruler approached Jesus with a question that revealed his heart: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). He wanted assurance that his religious devotion was enough. Jesus pointed him to the commandments, which he claimed to have followed since his youth. Yet, when Jesus told him to sell everything and follow Him, the young man walked away grieving because of his great wealth.
This man’s possessions had become an idol—something he valued more than God. Wealth often gives a false sense of security, leading us to trust in money rather than in the Lord. Jesus made it clear that this kind of attachment makes it difficult to enter the kingdom of God: “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23). When we hold tightly to material things, our hands are too full to receive the eternal riches Christ offers.
The Illusion of Self-Sufficiency
Another danger of wealth is that it can make us believe we don’t need God. The rich young ruler thought he had done everything required for eternal life. His obedience to the law made him confident in his righteousness. But Jesus exposed the one thing he lacked—complete surrender.
Wealth can blind us to our spiritual poverty. When we have financial security, it is easy to trust in our ability to provide rather than depending on God. Jesus’ words remind us that salvation is not something we can achieve on our own: “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27). True security comes not from our bank accounts but from the grace of God.
The Distraction of Earthly Treasures
Jesus compared the difficulty of a rich person entering the kingdom of God to a camel passing through the eye of a needle (Mark 10:25). This striking image emphasizes how earthly wealth can keep us from seeing our need for Christ.
In the last days, materialism is one of the greatest distractions from genuine faith. The world encourages us to chase financial success, but Jesus calls us to store up treasures in heaven. He promises that those who give up worldly comforts for His sake will receive far more—both now and in eternity: “There is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold … and in the age to come eternal life.” (Mark 10:29-30).
We must ask ourselves: Are we more concerned with building earthly wealth or investing in God’s kingdom? Do we prioritize our possessions over our obedience to Christ?
A Call to Radical Surrender
Jesus’ words to the rich young ruler were not just about money. They were about allegiance. He was calling this man—and all of us—to radical surrender. True discipleship means letting go of anything that competes with our love for Christ.
What is holding you back from following Jesus fully? For some, it may be wealth. For others, it could be career, relationships, or personal ambitions. Whatever it is, Jesus asks us to lay it down and trust Him. The cost of discipleship is great, but the reward is infinitely greater.
In these last days, let’s examine our hearts. Are we clinging to the temporary or seeking the eternal? May we hold our possessions loosely, trusting that the true riches of the kingdom far outweigh anything this world can offer.
Other Resources:
Would you sell everything for Heaven?
Dangers Christians face in the world today
Do not chase wealth – Love Worth Finding
