The Rich Young Ruler
Choosing between wealth and following Jesus.
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
Mark 10:25
Key Verse
"Matthew 19:21 - Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.'"
Story Background
The story of The Rich Young Ruler takes place during Jesus' ministry, when a young man of wealth and influence approached Jesus with a question about eternal life. This man was not only wealthy but also a ruler, indicating he had both material possessions and social status. He had been keeping the commandments from his youth and seemed genuinely interested in spiritual matters. However, when Jesus challenged him to sell all his possessions and give to the poor, the young man went away sorrowful because he had great wealth. This story demonstrates the challenge of wealth and material possessions, the cost of discipleship, and the difficulty of letting go of earthly treasures for heavenly ones. It also shows Jesus' love for the man despite his inability to follow through, and the principle that it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.
Characters
Jesus Christ
The Son of God who challenges the young man's priorities and reveals his heart
Personality: Loving, challenging, wise, compassionate, direct
Motivations: To teach about discipleship, reveal the man's heart, show the cost of following Him
The Rich Young Ruler
A young man of wealth and influence who seeks eternal life
Personality: Sincere, religious, attached to wealth, ultimately unwilling to sacrifice
Motivations: To gain eternal life, to maintain his wealth and status
The Disciples
Jesus' followers who witness the encounter and ask follow-up questions
Personality: Curious, concerned, learning, amazed
Motivations: To understand Jesus' teaching, to learn about discipleship
Peter
One of Jesus' closest disciples who asks about their own sacrifice
Personality: Direct, questioning, concerned about reward
Motivations: To understand what they have given up, to seek reassurance
Story Plot
The Young Man's Approach
A man came up to Jesus and asked, 'Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?'
Matthew 19:16
Significance: Shows the man's sincere desire for eternal life
Jesus' Initial Response
Jesus replied, 'Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only One who is good.'
Matthew 19:17
Significance: Shows Jesus redirecting the man to God as the source of goodness
Jesus' Commandment Challenge
Jesus told him to keep the commandments, listing several of them.
Matthew 19:18-19
Significance: Shows Jesus testing the man's understanding of righteousness
The Man's Confident Response
The young man said, 'All these I have kept since I was a boy. What do I still lack?'
Matthew 19:20
Significance: Shows the man's confidence in his own righteousness
Jesus' Loving Challenge
Jesus looked at him and loved him, then gave him the ultimate challenge.
Matthew 19:21
Significance: Shows Jesus' love despite the man's spiritual condition
The Cost of Discipleship
Jesus said, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.'
Matthew 19:21
Significance: Shows the high cost of following Jesus
The Man's Sorrowful Departure
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Matthew 19:22
Significance: Shows the difficulty of letting go of earthly treasures
Jesus' Teaching on Wealth
Jesus told His disciples how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.
Matthew 19:23-24
Significance: Shows the spiritual danger of wealth
The Disciples' Amazement
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, 'Who then can be saved?'
Matthew 19:25
Significance: Shows the disciples' concern about salvation
Jesus' Encouragement
Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'
Matthew 19:26
Significance: Shows that salvation is God's work, not man's
Peter's Question
Peter asked Jesus what they would receive since they had left everything to follow Him.
Matthew 19:27
Significance: Shows the disciples' concern about their own sacrifice
Jesus' Promise of Reward
Jesus promised that those who leave everything for Him will receive a hundred times as much and eternal life.
Matthew 19:28-30
Significance: Shows God's generous reward for those who follow Jesus
Key Lessons
Wealth and possessions can be a barrier to following Jesus
The cost of discipleship is high but the reward is greater
Jesus knows and loves us even when we fail to follow Him
Salvation is impossible for man but possible with God
Following Jesus requires sacrifice and letting go of earthly treasures
God rewards those who leave everything to follow Him
Material wealth can blind us to spiritual truth
Jesus challenges our priorities and reveals our hearts
Symbolism & Meaning
The Rich Young Ruler
Those who want salvation but are unwilling to pay the cost
Matthew 19:16-22
The Camel and the Eye of the Needle
The impossibility of salvation through human effort
Matthew 19:24
Selling Possessions
The complete surrender required for discipleship
Matthew 19:21
Treasure in Heaven
The eternal reward that comes from following Jesus
Matthew 19:21
Going Away Sorrowful
The sadness that comes from choosing wealth over Jesus
Matthew 19:22
Historical Context
Time & Society
Period: Around 30 AD, during Jesus' ministry
Social Structure: Hierarchical society with wealthy rulers and common people
Religion & Culture
Worship: Jewish religious practices, commandment keeping
Lifestyle: Jewish society with wealth and social status
Theological Themes
The Cost of Discipleship
Following Jesus requires sacrifice and letting go of earthly attachments
Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross
The Danger of Wealth
Material possessions can become idols that prevent us from following Jesus
You cannot serve both God and money
God's Grace in Salvation
Salvation is impossible for humans but possible through God's grace
By grace you have been saved through faith
Reward for Sacrifice
God generously rewards those who sacrifice everything for Jesus
Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much
Modern Applications
Understanding the challenge of wealth and materialism in our lives
Recognizing the cost of following Jesus in our culture
Seeing how possessions can become barriers to spiritual growth
Understanding that Jesus loves us even when we fail
Recognizing that salvation is God's work, not our achievement
Understanding the importance of surrendering our priorities to Jesus
Seeing how God rewards those who sacrifice for Him
Understanding that Jesus challenges our hearts and priorities
Discussion Questions
Personal Reflection
- 1
What possessions or priorities might be keeping you from following Jesus?
- 2
When have you had to choose between Jesus and something else?
- 3
How do you respond when Jesus challenges your priorities?
- 4
What does this story teach you about the cost of discipleship?
Group Discussion
- 1
How does this story show the challenge of wealth?
- 2
What can we learn about the cost of discipleship from this story?
- 3
How does this story demonstrate Jesus' love and challenge?
- 4
What does this teach us about God's grace in salvation?
Family Discussion
- 1
Why is it hard to give up things we love for Jesus?
- 2
What does it mean to follow Jesus?
- 3
How can we help each other put Jesus first?
- 4
What does this story teach us about what's most important?
A Prayer for Reflection
"Heavenly Father, as we reflect on the story of The Rich Young Ruler, open our hearts to the lessons You have placed within it.
Give us wisdom to understand Your Word, courage to live by it, and humility to grow through it.
May this story deepen our faith, strengthen our character, and draw us closer to You.
In Jesus' name, Amen."
Take a moment to reflect on this story and how it applies to your life today.