The Rich Young Ruler

Luke 18:18-25

¹⁸ A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
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.’
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, and you will have treasure in heaven. 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! 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.”

For this ruler, selling his goods not only takes away his stuff, it likely takes away his position in society and his status as well.

Notice that Jesus does not say "I want you to use your power and influence to help the poor," or to improve justice for the Jewish people, or to act in any official capacity whatsoever. He makes an entirely personal claim on the man.

Good to remember in an election year.