THE RICH YOUNG RULER - This man was a young political leader, he was wealthy, and observed the Jewish law to the letter (he thought). Jesus told him to sell his possessions, give the money to the poor and follow Him. The man was sad because he had many possessions and would not do what Jesus asked. Jesus was trying to get him to turn from his "other gods." People would have to leave their ancestral traditions and gods, their material possessions, and anything else that qualifies as an idol or as an "other god." When we "sacrifice" what we are trusting in we will receive a hundredfold now in this time, but with persecutions, and also in the age to come, eternal life.

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The Rich Young Ruler

Take a lesson from the Rich Young Ruler

Larry Chkoreff

"Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?’" (Mark 10:17).

This man was a young political leader, he was wealthy, and observed the Jewish law to the letter (he thought).

Verse 21 says that Jesus loved him so much that He told him to sell his possessions, give the money to the poor and follow Him.

The man was sad because he had many possessions and would not do what Jesus asked.

Remember that Jesus loved this man and knew what he really needed. Jesus was trying to get him to turn from his "other gods."

Then the disciples expressed their concern to Jesus for His doctrine and did not understand how a rich man could be saved.

Peter reminded Jesus that he and the others had given up much to follow Him.

Jesus replied, "So Jesus answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time -- houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions -- and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.’" (Mark 10:29-31).

Notice that Jesus gave the warning, "with persecutions."

Here is your guarantee from the Word of God that Jesus will take care of you when you turn from your soul power and your "other gods."

Notice, Jesus indicated that people would have to leave their ancestral traditions and gods, their material possessions, and anything else that qualifies as an idol or as an "other god."

Also notice the guarantee. When we "sacrifice" what we are trusting in we will receive a hundredfold now in this time, but with persecutions, and also in the age to come, eternal life.

Do not be afraid to turn from your "other gods." Jesus will give you a hundredfold back, but it will be with suffering or persecutions. It is well worth it!

You eventually take on the character of your provider. You will become like the one who supplies your needs.

You will take on the character of the one you obey. You were created to be a slave to someone.

You become a slave to the one you obey. "Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?" (Romans 6:16).

"The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; Nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them." (Psalms 135:15-18).

Romans 8:29 says that you are predestined to become conformed to the image of Jesus, God’s son.

Words are seeds. God’s Word will not only provide for you, but will also change your character into His.

If you continue to take the words and pictures of "other gods," you will become just like them. This is the pattern of sowing and reaping.

The end result is that you have purpose in life; the purpose that God designed for you. That purpose is to "glorify" God.

In other words, it is to reveal God to others. Yes, God wants to be your provider, but it does not end there.

God does not bless us just to be blessed. That is what got the Old Testament believers into trouble.

They fell into gross immorality and idolatry when they became inward with their blessings.

God blesses us to bless others. He wants to reveal Himself to the lost people in this world.

He loves them, and he wants you to go to them. He wants to use the gifts He created for you to influence people in your realm of influence.

God wants to change you into a giver. God promised to bless Abraham, the first Hebrew. He also told him that he wanted him to take the blessings not as a privilege, but rather as a responsibility (Genesis 12:1-3).

He does not want you to spend time worrying about your provisions like unbelievers do.

He wants to set you free to glorify Him. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).

Larry Chkoreff November, 2001

http://isob-bible.org/devotions-bak/richYruler.htm