We’re going through the account of the Rich Young Ruler in Luke 18:18-27.

Luke 18:18-19: “And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good?  none is good, save one, that is, God.”

We are told in Matthew chapter 19 verses 20 and 22 that this ruler was a young man.  The word used in the Greek in these verses implies that he was at most around 40 years old.

Jesus was not denying that He is God here.  He was rebuking this man’s faulty reference point for goodness and speaking with the implication that this man also did not comprehend Jesus’ divinity at this point.

Jesus directly revealed His divine identity to, and received divine worship from, a man whom he had healed of blindness after the man had been cast out of his synagogue for not caving into the pressure of the synagogue’s leaders to call Jesus a sinner.

John 9:35-38: “Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?  He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?  And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.  And he said, Lord, I believe.  And he worshipped him.”

Jesus was also not denying that man can do good in God’s eyes.  He was rather rebuking the mentality which causes people to flatter themselves that they are good, and which proclaims others to be good, which isn’t compatible with how God defines goodness (faithfulness to His commandments); and which usually doesn’t even cite God’s commandments as the reference point for goodness- at least in a way that is impartial and beyond skin deep.

3 John 11: “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good.  He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”

Proverbs 20:6: “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?”

Romans 11:22: “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”

Luke 18:20: “Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother.”

In Matthew’ Gospel we read in Matthew 19:17: “… but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”

The word in the Greek which Jesus used for “keep” implies constant attendance or diligence to keep the commandments.  

Jesus obviously didn’t list all of the commandments in God’s Law here- not even all of the Ten Commandments.  It seems obvious He had a good reason to cite the particular ones which He did here- even if we don’t comprehend it.

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

The word which this young man used for his keeping of the commandments is a weaker word in the Greek text than the word which Jesus used for keeping the commandments.  

The word which the Rich Young Ruler used here in the Greek text is speaking of keeping the eye upon; keeping in custody.  The word Jesus used for keeping the commandments in the Greek text is  speaking of diligently holding fast in constant attendance upon.

Luke 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.”

In the parallel account in Mark, we read in Mark 10:21: “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”

Many who attempt to preach the Gospel wouldn’t bring up the commandments at all.  

Many who would bring up the commandments put subjection to the commandments in opposition to faith in Jesus Christ (that is blatant antinomianism).  

Yet even many who would bring up the commandments, and don’t see faith in Jesus Christ as release from the obligation to obey them, would dispute with the young man at this point about whether he had really kept the commandments.  

Jesus rather just gets to the main point and addresses the main issue in relation to what was keeping this man from entering into life.  

The real issue here is that the Rich Young Ruler was shackled from following the Lord unhindered due to his attachment to his riches.  Jesus discerned this; and this will be clear beyond any doubt as this encounter proceeds.

Consider along these lines:

Hebrews 11:6: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

God’s commandments, used properly, are not only evidence that we need an atonement for sin and cannot earn our salvation, they are also the guide to a living faith which seeks God diligently.  They are the proper reference point for defining what it means to turn from sin and seek the true God diligently with one’s whole heart.  

Psalm 119:29-30: “Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.  I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.”

Psalm 119:58-60: “I intreated thy favor with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.  I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.  I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.”

Psalm 119:113-120: “I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.  Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.  Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.  Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.  Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.  Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.  Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.  My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.”

1 John 3:4: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

Luke 18:23: “And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.”

In the parallel account in Matthew, we read of the same moment in Matthew 19:22: “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.”

If this young man could have just accepted Jesus as his Savior and disregarded being Jesus’ disciple, Jesus would have greatly deceived him here.

We can be sure then that those who speak against or skip over turning from covetousness, idolatry, other sins, and aren’t utterly concerned to bring people into subjection to God’s Law (that is, to true repentance) to obey God’s Word without shackles are not faithful ministers of the Gospel of Christ.

If Jesus had used the methods of Billy Graham and just about every other popular evangelist, if not all other popular evangelists, this young man would have prayed a “1, 2, 3 repeat after me” sinner’s prayer or at least walked thinking he could come to Jesus without forsaking his wealth rather than walking in suspense like he did (because Jesus caused Him to perceive the gate and the narrow way to be the size that they are in reality).  

Luke 18:24-25: “And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!  For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

That would not be so if we didn’t need to surrender our life to Jesus’ authority (His Lordship) in order to have a saving interest in Him.  

Those who call people up to altars to run them through a sinner’s prayer formality (like Billy Graham did) and/or who preach Jesus as an accessory to obtaining a more fulfilling life and an easy ticket to heaven are greatly deceiving people.

In the parallel account in Matthew, you can look at it and see how Jesus equated the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven in Matthew 19:23-24.  The false distinction between those is an essential of Dispensational theology (which we have several messages dealing specifically with refuting).

In the next chapter (Luke 19), Zaccheus told Jesus that He would give half his goods to the poor and restore those whom he had defrauded four-fold in accordance with the verdict of God’s Law.  Jesus then accepted Zaccheus’ repentance and called him a true son of Abraham who was no longer lost.  

Zaccheus did what was necessary in order to do that which is righteous concerning money and to tear his heart from the love of money.  What Jesus prescribed for this young ruler was what was necessary for him to do the same in his particular situation.

Those who make Christianity to seem like it is about giving up everything for communal living are also greatly deceiving people.  

Private property ownership, even in the rare circumstance of the early church in Jerusalem, did not cease among the Christians.  They weren’t living in a commune where no one actually owned the property (many go to Acts 2:44-45 to say otherwise- but they don’t account for Acts 4:32 and Acts 5:3-4- that’s a mini-study in itself).  

In many situations, it is not righteous for one to just give away everything they have.  They may have duties in life beyond their own daily maintenance which would really make doing so foolish.  

This issue is nuanced since tearing one’s heart from the love of money and no longer pursuing laying up treasure on earth doesn’t exempt one from their obligations to pay their own way through life nor exempt one from taking care of their dependents.  

1 Timothy 5:8: “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

That’s another proof of Lordship salvation and a rebuke to unconditional eternal security by the way.  We really do need to obey Jesus Christ, and endure in working righteousness by faith in Him until the end, in order to be saved.

I’ve heard about street preachers and other so-called Gospel ministers who beg for money and think everyone else is obligated to support them.  I’ve even heard of such people showing up at the house of people who had offered to take them in for a time, and opening the cupboards and demanding their hosts go out and buy them more food.  They are no less free from covetousness than those who labor day and night to get rich.  Plus, they are even thieves when they pressure people to give to them like that.  They’d be better off not traveling everywhere to preach and just get real jobs instead.  

In the parallel account in Mark, we read in Mark 10:23-25: “And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!  And the disciples were astonished at his words.  But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

It is clear by comparing the parallel accounts of this event that it is virtually impossible for one to have riches and not trust in them so that they are a rival to God in their heart.  Being governed by the world’s values disqualifies one from God’s kingdom; and being rich in the world’s values makes it exceedingly difficult to not be governed by them.

1 John 2:15-17: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

Luke 16:13: “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.  Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Consider the obvious snares involved in being rich in the following passages.  Also note the implied definitions of being rich by the Bible’s estimation.  Many who are materially rich don’t consider themselves to be.

Ecclesiastes 5:12: “The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.” 

Proverbs 18:10-11: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe (my note- notice the proceeding contrast in the next verse).  The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit (or imagination).”

It’s not hard to see why in the Rich Young Ruler’s case that it was best that he sell all that he had and distribute it all to the poor.  It’s also not hard to see why in the case of many that it would be righteous and fitting that they sell much of their abundance and give it to the poor in order to accomplish the same thing which would have been accomplished in the Rich Young Ruler were he to heed Jesus’ counsel here.

Luke 18:26: “And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?”

They understood Jesus properly about salvation.  They even understood that Jesus had a much broader definition of rich than ultra-wealthy- since they obviously understood that very many people fall into the category of rich (and the Western world today is even much more materially comfortable and prosperous than their society was).  

Now, professing Christians have generally been deluded to have the opposite mentality: A narrow definition of being rich and a broad view of salvation (and I especially mean a broad view of salvation in terms of those who profess faith in Jesus Christ and even have a generally Biblical worldview).

Luke 18:27: “And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

This proves that even the righteous people in Old Testament times who were rich were exceptions- not the general rule.

The general rule is seen in James 2:5-7: “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?  But ye have despised the poor.  Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?  Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?”

It is fitting that God would allow it to be that the chief pursuit of man in his alienation from Him would be the biggest hindrance to man’s salvation; and also allow those who are regarded as poor by vainglorious mankind to have the best opportunity to be saved.  

Yet even multitudes of exceedingly poor people still choose to make money their god, choose sin in other ways, and miss out on obtaining a saving interest in Jesus Christ.  

Jesus intended everything He said in the Gospels to be analyzed in light of the rest of Scripture.  The entire Bible is His Word.  

It seems consistent with the rest of Scripture to conclude that much greater than normal workings of God are necessary for the salvation of a rich person.  

Obviously, no one is saved apart from Jesus Christ through cooperating with the drawing and leading of His Holy Spirit which testifies of Him.  In the case of some, those much greater than normal workings might be highly intense training, teaching, and discipline to manage riches faithfully (think of Joseph in Genesis here).  In the case of some, such workings may be dealings which are very specific and powerful to break their trust in riches and persuade them to really humble themselves as a little child and seek the living God with their whole hearts.  

None of this ever could or would take away a person’s free will nor ensure by any means that they would cooperate with such working.  

We ought to heed the lessons from this real life illustration of how Jesus dealt with a rich man who knew he needed to be saved and earnestly sought to be saved- yet still walked away from Jesus sorrowful.

Here are some general Biblical principles to navigate the difficulty of handling money and for navigating the perils of the love of riches.

Don’t be determined to become rich.  

1 Timothy 6:6-10: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and raiment (clothing) let us be therewith content.  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare (a trap), and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is the root of all evil (all sorts of evil; all manner of evil): which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

If riches increase anyways or if they already have, don’t set your heart upon them.

Psalm 62:9-10: “Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.  Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery (my note- if you have stolen or defrauded, pay it back and more; turn yourself in to the authorities if that is necessary for justice to be done): if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.”

Actively give away excess wealth to the needy and share your abundance with others in order to do righteousness; and also demonstrate and practice not setting your heart upon riches.

1 Timothy 6:17-19: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

Be so taken up with doing righteousness and with real, impartial justice prevailing that the things which money can buy which aren’t used for this end seem like a very small thing anyways.  

That is what saved Moses in his extremely perilous state as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter (Moses was a defender, not a murderer, in standing up for the oppressed- the thing which got him banished from Egypt and removed him from the luxury he lived in there).

Hebrews 11:24-26: “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”

Aaron’s email is: [email protected]

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