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The Rich Young Man

Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-23; Luke 18:18-23

One day a man asked Jesus, "GoodTeacher, how can I enter the kingdomof God? I want to live forever."

Jesus knew the young man was veryrich. He also knew the man hadtrained for many years to become areligious leader. Jesus told the youngman something he already knew."Follow the commandments."

The young man said, "I have beencareful to follow all thecommandments. Now I want to domore." This man wanted to make surehe was as close as possible to God.

Because of this Jesus loved theyoung man. He knew, though, therewas one thing which stood betweenthis man and God. He knew the youngman loved his money and things morethan anything else in the world. Theman loved God, but he loved beingrich even more.

So Jesus said, "You have missed onething. If you want to become perfect,go and sell your things and give yourmoney to the poor. Then you will havetreasure in heaven. Come, follow Me."

When the man heard this, hebecame very sad. He lowered his headand turned away. He knew deep downthat he had not given God first placein his life. He was not willing to giveup his riches and follow Jesus.

Jesus' disciples still sometimesthought that God's love could bebought with money. They assumedthat people were rich because Godwanted to reward them. That is notnecessarily true. Jesus said, "Listen,it's easier for a camel to go throughthe eye of a needle than it is for a richman to love God more than hismoney."

Jesus is part of God's plan forsaving people from all their wrongs.Only through Jesus can they enter thekingdom of heaven. It has nothing todo with how rich people are or howhard they try to be good. People thinkthey have to do all sorts of things inorder to earn their way into heaven.The truth is, God makes it possible. Itis His gift for anyone who asks for it.You can't buy it and you can't earn it.God alone can give it to you.

Jesus said, "Everyone who is willingto leave behind their homes, parentsand friends to follow Me will be givena hundred times more while they liveon earth and in the world to come.That is the place where people liveforever. Many who are first here onearth will come last in heaven. Andthose who come last here, will comefirst in My kingdom."

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