A rich young ruler came up to Jesus, called Him a good teacher, and asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responded, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother." Then the rich young ruler answered, "Teacher, I have kept all these things since I was a boy." Then Jesus said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell everything you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow me." After hearing these words, his face fell. He went away sad because he had great wealth. Then Jesus looked at His disciples and said to them, "How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:17-24).
The rich young ruler represents people who love their possessions in this world than following God. Although he realized that he needed eternal life after his death in this world, he was hoping that he could gain eternal life through his good works. However, to his surprise, his good works were not enough to gain him eternal life. Jesus said these words to His disciples, "Truly I tell you, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first." (Mark 10:29-31).
As true believers of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must believe in Him without any reservation. We must surrender everything to Him if we want Jesus to become our Lord and Savior. Jesus was clear when He said that we must put Him first in our lives more than anyone else or anything in our possessions. If we put Jesus first in our lives, great is our reward from Him. Having eternal life is far better than the material things of this world because everything we have in this world is temporary.
Ask yourself these questions: Have I put Jesus before anyone I love and all my possessions? Am I sure about my salvation? How could I be sure to receive eternal life?
Write down all the worries you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, you are the one who provided me with everything that I have. My very life is from you. I exist because you have sustained me since I was conceived in my mother's womb. You have provided me my family and all the possessions that I have. Please help me never forget that everything I have in this world is temporary. Please do not let me put everything you have given me before you. Please help me love you more than my family, wife, children, and all the possessions you provided for me. In your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.