The following is a study of the story of a rich man inquiring of Jesus a way to eternal life.
Scripture Text: Matthew 19:16-26.
"16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
"17 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.
"18 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,
"19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
"20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
"21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
"22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
"23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
"24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
"25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
"26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
How did the man address our Savior and what was he seeking?
Read Matthew 19:16-17.
"16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
"17 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."
Note: This is a plain lesson Jesus wanted the rich man to learn. All good men and masters receive their goodness from the Father, and to Him is due the credit. Eternal life we receive by keeping and being obedient to the Commandments. You cannot receive life by breaking the Commandments. If we love our Savior and heavenly Father we will keep His Commandments.
Exodus 20:6. “And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”
Read Matthew 19:18-21.
"18 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,
"19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
"20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
"21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."
Note: This young man was covetous. He loved his wealth and his money more than he did his neighbor, more than he did the heavenly Father. Our Savior would not tell everybody to sell their possessions if they were using it to the glory of God. Anyone that has a love for God stands ready to give themselves and their riches to God.
Matthew 6:21. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Read Matthew 19:22-23.
"22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
"23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven."
Note: This man loved Jesus and desired a home in the kingdom of God, but his riches and possessions had first place in his heart. There was no room for the Lord Jesus Christ. The only and the last chance was for him to get rid of his possessions and distribute to the poor.
Matthew 6:24. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Matthew 16:24, 26. "24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Matthew 19:24. “And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
Note: It is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, but the Lord is able to reduce it to a string that it may pass easily through the needle’s eye. This may seem impossible and marvelous, but all is possible with God. The rich man’s love for his possessions can be reduced by God if he will submit himself to Him.
Acts 20:35. “I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Note: A man’s god is whatever he sets his affection on, and when he is in trouble, he always turns to his god. The Lord has given each and every one of us a part that we should perform and we will gladly do so without excuses when the Lord calls and speaks. We will only be glad to assist and to answer the call.
Matthew 16:27. “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
Matthew 19:29. “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”