A RICH RULER

Passage: Luke 18:18-30

Key verse: 22

NIV

The Rich and the Kingdom of God(A)

18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”(B)

19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’[a]”(C)

21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.

22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor,(D) and you will have treasure in heaven.(E) Then come, follow me.”

23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!(F) 25 Indeed, 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.”

26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”(G)

28 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”(H)

29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come(I) eternal life.”(J)

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 18:20 Exodus 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Rich Ruler

18 (A)And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to (B)inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: (C)‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, (D)“All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. (E)Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have (F)treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 (G)But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, (H)“How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter (I)the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter (J)the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, (K)“What is impossible with man is possible with God.” 28 And Peter said, “See, (L)we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, (M)there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers[a] or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive (N)many times more (O)in this time, and in (P)the age to come eternal life.”

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 18:29 Or wife or brothers and sisters
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. The rich ruler (18-22) The young man asked the right question (18). But behind his words lay an idea that he could earn the right to enter heaven by his own goodness. He saw Jesus as a good teacher. But Jesus challenged him to make a total commitment of himself to Jesus. Jesus wanted his heart. It is hard for a person with wealth and much ability to give up everything to follow Jesus. But it is more than worth the cost. 2. What is impossible with man is possible with God (23-3 ) This man went away sad because he couldn't commit to Jesus. Then Jesus remarked how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. The disciples were confused because they believed the rich were blessed by God. They wondered who then can be saved? Jesus taught them this is only possible through God and his saving grace. Peter realized that he had left everything to follow Jesus. Then, Jesus proclaimed that those who do so are truly blessed and will receive more in this life and in the age to come. Whatever we commit to the Lord, our God, for whom nothing is impossible, will bless us and do far more than we dream or imagine (Eph 3:2 ,21).

Prayer: Lord, help me to commit my life fully to you, care for the lost, and store up treasure in heaven.

One Word: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor