Understanding God's Heart For The PoorSample

The Rich Young Ruler

Today's reading tells us that 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. When Jesus asked him to lay it all down, he is devastated. He goes away grieving because he cannot give up doing things that give him a sense of significance—a sense of who he is and what he is worth.

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

Reflection

Many of us in the developed world 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 with financial security for the future. Have you ever asked yourself whether the life you’ve built has become the place where your security and sense of worth and significance lies?

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.