Luke 18:18-30
A Ruler Who Loved His Wealth
Read the passage
18Then a certain ruler asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
19“Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone.
20You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’”
21“All these I have kept from my youth,” he said.
22On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
23But when the ruler heard this, he became very sad, because he was extremely wealthy.
24Seeing the man’s sadness, Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!
25Indeed, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
26Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”
27But Jesus said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
28“Look,” said Peter, “we have left all we had to follow You.”
29“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God
30will fail to receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
A ruler addresses Jesus as good teacher and asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus asks why he calls him good, saying that no one is good except God alone. The man must take goodness seriously in God's terms. Jesus then points him to the commandments: do not commit adultery, murder, steal, or bear false witness; honor father and mother.
The ruler says he has kept all these from his youth. Jesus tells him that one thing is still lacking: sell all he has, distribute it to the poor, and he will have treasure in heaven; then come and follow Him.
The man becomes very sad because he is extremely rich. Jesus says it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter God's kingdom. The listeners ask who can be saved. Jesus answers that what is impossible with people is possible with God. The ruler cannot add one more accomplishment to his record and secure eternal life. He needs God to free him to follow the one calling him.
Peter says the disciples have left their homes to follow Jesus. Jesus promises that everyone who leaves house, family, or livelihood for God's kingdom will receive much more in this time and eternal life in the age to come.
Questions
1 What does the ruler ask Jesus?
AnswerHe asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. He approaches Jesus as someone seeking a clear requirement.
2 Which commandments does Jesus mention?
AnswerHe mentions commandments concerning adultery, murder, stealing, false witness, and honoring parents. Jesus begins with the ruler's outward obedience before exposing the deeper hold of wealth.
3 Why does the ruler become sad?
AnswerJesus tells him to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him. He is extremely wealthy, and the command exposes how tightly his possessions hold him.
4 What is possible with God?
AnswerWhat is impossible with people is possible with God. Salvation depends on God's power; wealth and a record of good behavior cannot accomplish it.
What This Means for Us
Jesus identifies the particular rival that owns this ruler's heart. His command is not a universal financial formula for every disciple, but it is a serious warning that wealth can make surrender feel impossible.
Families can ask what possessions or security they would protect before obeying Christ. Give generously, examine attachment honestly, and never assume wealth proves God's special favor.
Prayer
God, show us what competes with our love for You. Give us freedom from possessiveness, compassion for the poor, and grace to follow Jesus when obedience asks us to release a security we treasure. Amen.