Luk 18:18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Luk 18:19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

Luk 18:20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

Luk 18:21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

Luk 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Luk 18:23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

The Rich Young Ruler: Learning to Give

In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 18, verses 18-23, we encounter a powerful narrative that speaks volumes about the nature of wealth, the value of giving, and the path to eternal life. This passage, often referred to as the story of the Rich Young Ruler, provides a profound lesson on the importance of generosity and the dangers of materialism.

The Rich Young Ruler, despite his wealth and status, approached Jesus with a humble heart, seeking the path to eternal life. He had meticulously followed all the commandments since his youth, yet he felt an emptiness, a void that his worldly possessions could not fill.

Jesus, recognizing his sincerity, loved him and offered him a challenge: "Sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me." This was not a call to poverty, but a call to generosity, a call to shift his focus from earthly wealth to heavenly treasures.

However, the Rich Young Ruler, upon hearing this, became very sorrowful for he was very rich. His wealth, which he had always viewed as a blessing, suddenly seemed like a chain that bound him to the earth and hindered his journey towards eternal life.

This story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of learning to give. It is not a condemnation of wealth, but rather a critique of the human tendency to cling to material possessions. It teaches us that true wealth is not measured by the amount we have, but by the extent of our willingness to give.

In giving, we not only help those in need, but we also free ourselves from the chains of materialism. We learn to value people over possessions, love over luxury, and generosity over greed. In giving, we gain - not in terms of earthly wealth, but in terms of spiritual growth, inner peace, and eternal life.

As we reflect on this passage, let us strive to cultivate a spirit of generosity. Let us learn to give, not because we have plenty, but because we understand the value of giving. Let us remember that in giving, we do not diminish our wealth, but rather, we enrich our souls.

Prayer Focus

Lord, help me never to be so Earthly minded, I'm no heavenly good! Teach me to hold my earthly possessions with a loose hand, knowing that my true treasure is in heaven. Help me to understand the value of giving, and to strive not for earthly wealth, but for heavenly riches. Amen.