QUESTION #33 Why callest thou Me good?

   QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED BIBLE STUDY

 

    Read Matthew 19:16-30 KJV: 

 

  Why callest thou me good? (Matthew 19:16, Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19)

 

THE RICH YOUNG MAN AND JESUS

Reference: Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:16-27, Luke 18:18-27

 

Throughout the books of the Gospel, we see time and time again the teachings and parables of Jesus Christ that illustrate the foolishness of attaching importance to material wealth. One of the most interesting of these teachings is the story of Jesus and the rich young man, who did not want to sell his material possessions and give the money to the poor.

 

The rich young man was drawn to Jesus, and asked Him, “What good deed must I do to have eternal life?” Jesus tells him to keep the commandments, and he responds that he has done that from his youth. The young man then asks Jesus, “What do I still lack?” He shows great insight in asking this question. We can do everything that appears right but still know that something is not right on the inside. Jesus responds, “Sell your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me”.

 

Jesus was not saying one cannot be rich to enter into the kingdom of God. We know from the four Gospels that Jesus did not call all of his hearers to give away all their possessions. Not all people are as burdened by their possessions as this young man was. In his case, the challenge was radical because of his strong attachment to wealth. God knows precisely what is in our hearts and what is needed as we serve him.

 

Is our treasure in our work, our jobs, our performance and skills, our retirement funds? These are good things (gifts from God) in their place. But they are secondary to seeking first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) and a right (righteous) relationship with God and with others. 

 

Applying this to work today requires real sensitivity and honesty with regard to our own instincts and values. Wealth is sometimes a result of work -- ours or someone else’s -- but work itself can also be an emotional obstacle to following Jesus. If we have privileged positions -- as the rich man did -- managing our careers may become more important than serving others, doing good work, or even making time for church and family. It may hinder us from opening ourselves to an unexpected calling from God. Our wealth and privilege may make us arrogant or insensitive to the people around us. These difficulties are not unique to people of wealth and privilege, of course. Yes, Jesus’ encounter with the rich man highlights that it is hard to motivate yourself to change the world if you are already on top of the heap. Those of us with modest means, must ask yourself whether… we also have become complacent because of our (relative) wealth and status?

 

Before we leave this episode, one crucial aspect remains. “Jesus, looking at him, loved him” (Mark 10:21). Jesus’ purpose is not to shame or browbeat the young man, but to love him. He calls him to leave his possessions first of all for his own benefit, saying, “You will have treasure in heaven; then come follow me.” We are the ones who suffer when we let wealth or work cut us off from other people and remove us from a relationship with God. The solution is not to try harder to be good, but to accept God’s love; that is, to follow Christ. If we do this, we learn that we can trust God for the things we really need in life, and we don’t need to hold on to our possessions and positions for security.

 

Jesus said in verse 24 that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. How are we to understand this statement? He is speaking of an impossibility. It is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. Notice the response of the disciples, they were exceedingly amazed, and asked, “Who then can be saved?” They understood the impossibility of the situation. 

 

But Jesus told them, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” What is impossible for man to do, God can do with ease. It is the power of God alone, that can change a person’s heart. All the riches in the world, all the wisdom, all the reasonings cannot change a man’s cold and hardened heart. 

 

The term “eye of a needle” is used as a metaphor for a very narrow opening. Why is it difficult for the rich to enter into the kingdom of God? The Apostle Paul spoke of such things in 1 Timothy 6:9-10, “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare… for the love of money is the root of all evil, and they which coveted after riches have erred from the faith…”

 

This is not just to the rich, those you have plenty. Even the poor can love or covet after money. This speaks directly of someone whose desire is to be rich, who have a love of money, who covet after more. Jesus said in Mark 10:24, “…how difficult it is that those who trust in riches should enter into the kingdom of God!” We can see that is not the riches, but the love of money, which hinders a person to enter into the kingdom of God.

 

Just as it is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, it is equally impossible for those, who trust in riches instead of God, or desire riches more than God, to enter into the kingdom of God.

 

Which riches are you relying on?

 

Notes: