As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’” 20 He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” 21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!
A man “who had many possessions (v. 22)” approached Jesus, addressed him as “Good teacher” and asked what he could do to inherit eternal life (v. 17). The man’s greeting was an indication that he knew about Jesus but did not really know who he truly was. There is no clear understanding of Jesus’ response, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone (v. 18)”, since Jesus is the Son of God and was sinless. Jesus asked the man if he observed the Commandments and cited the last six which dealt with human relationships. The man replied that he had observed all of them from his youth. Jesus was pleased to hear the man’s response and believed him, “loved him”, and then told him what else was required to enter the kingdom of God (v. 21). Io sell all his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor was something the man was unwilling to do. Jewish belief held that since God enabled their ancestors like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Solomon to be wealthy, then wealth was a sign of divine favor. Jesus had asked the man to give away his earthly treasure for a heavenly treasure.
Christians must get their priorities straight. Love of God and wealth are not mutually exclusive, but the Great Commandment must be their priority; “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with your whole heart, and with your whole being, and with your whole strength (Deut. 6:4-5).” Jesus explained to his disciples that riches can be an obstacle to discipleship (v. 23). The only way to enter the kingdom of God is to receive it as a gift like a child who is totally dependent on its parent. We must be totally dependent on God. (Mk. 10:14-15).
Almighty God, lead us
to what is best for us and help us to accept your will. Sustain us and take care of our needs. Deliver us from all that separates us from You
and grant us entry into your heavenly kingdom when our work is done. This we ask through Christ out Lord. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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