The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
“Boy am I humble!” If you have ever caught yourself saying this, you have something in common with the rich young man in the gospels. This one asked Jesus a key question in life. In effect, what must I do to be saved? This is a good question and it is not wrong to ask it. I wish we would hear it more often on our Prayer Walks rather than, “I’m good”. This man heard all the commandments and then stumbled over the last one because he coveted that which he already had and could not part with it. He missed it by that much.
The world has always been ruled by the rich and powerful, even in so-called egalitarian societies. Our time is unique in that so many of our cultural norms are being driven by the young and it seems they have more power than ever. Perhaps this is good in some ways but there is something missing: wisdom. The rich young man thought he was better than he was, “All these have I kept.” Nonsense. All have sinned. The young here are rich by virtue of being American. They think they have the world’s problems licked if the old just get out of the way. Jesus said there is one thing that trips us up and it is wise to identify and confess it…
Then you will be rich.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church