THE RICH YOUNG

RULER
 based on Matthew 19:16-22; 
Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23
And
The Book “Humble Hero”
by Ellen G. White
 THE ENCOUNTER

And they brought young children to

him, that he should touch them: and
his disciples rebuked those that
brought them.  But when Jesus saw
it, he was much displeased, and said
unto them, Suffer the little children
to come unto me, and forbid them
not: for of such is the kingdom of
God.  Verily I say unto you,
Whosoever shall not receive the
kingdom of God as a little child, he
shall not enter therein. And he took
them up in his arms, put his hands
 THE
ENCOUNTER

“And when he was gone

forth into the way, there
came one running, and
kneeled to him, and asked
him, Good Master, what
shall I do that I may inherit
eternal life?”
Mark 10:17 KJV
 THE
ENCOUNTER
And Jesus said unto
him, Why callest thou
me good? there is
none good but one,
that is, God.
Mark 10:18KJV
“Jesus wanted to draw from him in what way he regarded Him as good. Did he
realize that the One to whom he was speaking was the Son of God? What was
the true feeling of his heart? This ruler had a high opinion of his own righteousness,
yet he felt the lack of something he did not possess. Could Jesus bless him and satisfy
his heart’s craving?
 THE
ENCOUNTER
And he said unto him, Why callest
thou me good? there is none good
but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt
enter into life, keep the
commandments. He saith unto him,
Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no
murder, Thou shalt not commit
adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou
shalt not bear false witness, Honour
thy father and thy mother: and,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as
thyself. The young man saith unto
him, All these things have I kept
 THE
ENCOUNTER
 Then Jesus beholding him
loved him, and said unto
him, One thing thou
lackest: go thy way, sell
whatsoever thou hast,
and give to the poor, and
thou shalt have treasure
in heaven: and come,
take up the cross, and
follow me.
“Christ looked into the face of the young man as if
reading his life and searching his character. He loved
him and hungered to give him peace and joy. “One
thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have
and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in
heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

Christ was drawn to this young man. The Redeemer

longed to create in him the power to see the necessity
of heart devotion. He longed to see in him a humble
and repentant heart, hiding its shortcomings in the
perfection of Christ.
In this ruler Jesus saw just the help He needed in the
work of salvation. If he would place himself under
Christ’s guidance, he would be a power for good.
Christ, seeing into his character, loved him.
Love for Christ was awakening in the ruler’s heart, for
love produces love. Jesus longed to see him become a
coworker with Him. He longed to develop the
excellence of his character and to sanctify it to the
Master’s use. If the ruler had then given himself to
Christ, how different would have been his future!”
EGW, HUMBLE HERO, Pg. 240
“You still lack one thing,” Jesus said. “Sell all that you
have and distribute to the poor, and you will have
treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Christ read
the ruler’s heart. Only one thing he lacked, but that was
a vital principle. He needed the love of God at the core
of his life. If this lack went unfilled, it would prove fatal.
His whole nature would become corrupted. In order for
him to receive the love of God, he must surrender his
supreme love of self.

Christ called for him to choose between heavenly

treasure and worldly greatness. Self must yield; he must
give his will into Christ’s control. The young ruler had
the privilege of becoming a co-heir with Christ to the
heavenly treasure. But he must take up the cross and
The choice was left with him. Jesus had shown him the
fatal spot in his character. If he decided to follow Christ,
he must obey His words in everything. He must turn
from his ambitious projects. With earnest, anxious
longing, the Savior looked at the young man, hoping he
would yield to the invitation of the Spirit of God.

Christ’s words were words of wisdom, though they

appeared severe. The ruler’s only hope of salvation was
in accepting and obeying them. His position and
possessions were exerting a subtle influence for evil on
his character. If he cherished them, they would replace
God in his affections.” EGW, HUMBLE HERO, Pg. 240
DID JESUS DEMAND
TOO MUCH?
“ he was sad at that
saying, and went away
grieved: for he had great
possessions.”
Mark 10:21 KJV
The ruler, quick to understand all that Christ’s words involved,
became sad. He was a member of the honored council of the Jews,
and Satan was tempting him with flattering prospects for the
future. He wanted the heavenly treasure, but he also wanted the
advantages his riches would bring. He desired eternal life, but the
sacrifice seemed too great, and he went away sorrowful, “for he
had great possessions.”

His claim that he had kept the law of God was a deception. He
showed that riches were his idol. He loved the gifts of God more
than he loved the Giver. Christ had offered the young man
fellowship with Himself. “Follow Me,” He said. But the Savior was
not as valuable to him as his own name in society or his
possessions. To give up the seen for the unseen was too great a
risk. He refused the offer of eternal life and went away. Ever after
the world would receive his worship. Thousands pass through this
ordeal, weighing Christ against the world, and many choose the
“Christ’s dealing with the young man contains lessons for us all.
God has given us the rule of conduct that His servants must
follow. It is obedience to His law—not merely a legal obedience,
but an obedience that enters into the life and shows in the
character. Only those who will say, “Lord, all I have and all I am is
Yours,” will God acknowledge as His sons and daughters. Think of
what it means to say No to Christ. The Savior offers to share with
us the work that God has given us to do. Only in this way can He
save us.”

EGW, HUMBER HERO page 240

God entrusts us with money, talents, and opportunities, that we
may be His agents in helping the poor and the suffering. Those
who use their entrusted gifts as God designs become co-workers
with the Savior.

To those like the young ruler who are in high positions and have
great possessions, it may seem too great a sacrifice to give up all
in order to follow Christ. But God can accept nothing short of
obedience. Self-surrender is the essence of Christ’s teachings.
There is no other way to save us than to cut away those things
which, if we cling to them, will demoralize the whole being.

When Christ’s followers give back to the Lord His own, they are
accumulating treasure that they will receive when they hear the
words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. ... Enter into the
joy of your lord.” Matthew 25:23. The joy of seeing people
eternally saved is the reward of all who put their feet in the
footprints of Him who said, “Follow Me.”
 LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM THIS
STORY
Beware of Covetousness!
“And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not
consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” – Luke 12:15
“ For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an
idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” Ephesians 5:5
“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness,
passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” – Colossians 3:5
“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and
harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.” – 1 Timothy 6:9
“A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go
unpunished.” - Proverbs 28:20
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the
faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy
6:10
 LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM THIS
STORY
The Duty of CONTENTMENT
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing
into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” – 1 Timothy 6:6-7
“ Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to
be content:  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere
and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound
and to suffer need.” - Philippians 4:11–12 (NKJV)
“And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”- 1 Timothy 6:6-7
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you
have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” –
Hebrews 13:5