Stewarding God's Kingdom Sample

The Rich Young Ruler

The secrets of God’s kingdom are available to all who follow Christ. But not everyone will learn them. 

Jesus felt genuine love for the rich young ruler when he met him. The ruler had tried all his life to please God and be at peace with others. He hadn't cheated anyone, lied, or been dishonorable. He had been faithful to his friends and family. He was a model young man with a pure heart. But he knew something was missing. He came to Jesus, asking, “What must I do to inherit eternal life? Is there more I need to do to please God?”

Therein lies his problem.

We cannot, by our own efforts, please God. Our standing with God isn't based on our own effort or merit. The ruler's security and identity were in his performance. 

Many of us can identify with this rich young ruler. 

Maybe you have tried to live a good life and please God, and while doing so you work hard to make a nice home that secures a comfortable lifestyle. Maybe you have set aside money to ensure financial security for the future. 

When Jesus asked the ruler to lay it all down, he was devastated. He went away grieving because he could not give up doing things that gave him a sense of significance—a sense of who he was and what he was worth.

Jesus explained that rich people find it hard to make God the foundation for their security, identity, and significance. Their stuff gets in the way.

If we become preoccupied with our stuff, we aren’t always willing to do what He asks of us.

God wants to interrupt our lives to teach us the secrets of His kingdom. Will you let Him? 

Reflection

Have you ever asked yourself whether the life you’ve built has become a crutch for your security and sense of worth?

Could we do as the disciples did and leave it all behind? Could we hold it all loosely? Ultimately, it's hard to know for sure. But one way to find out is giving away as much as we spend on ourselves; then we will begin to see where our treasure lies.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you that I am your child. I pray that you would help me to find my sense of identity, security and significance in you. Protect me from anything getting in the way of me knowing you more fully. Amen.