One Thing Still Lacking

A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'"
"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
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."
When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.

The man was a ruler. That means he had wealth and power, two elements of possession that are both seductive and gripping. I have advantage on this side of heaven that gives me a comfortable life with ego and pride enhancement. My family is well cared for, people listen to me, they give me more credibility than others around me, they do things to try to curry my favor. I feel strong, smart and blessed. Things go my way. I like to inhale my own exhaust. I feel self-contained, self-assured and self-fulfilled. Except for one tiny little detail. That takes care of this life but what about what comes afterwards?

Can’t I just pay a modest insurance premium and have that taken care of? Isn’t there a discount broker out there who will give me a good deal on securing the next life, available for just a low monthly automatic deposit? Can’t I take a small part of my financial assets and take care of this?

Not for all the tea in China.

It isn’t good living, as the ruler said he had done. It isn’t keeping some of the commandments, as he avowed that he had always done. It was leaving all behind for a life with Christ.

Some commentators point out that while Jesus was describing several of the commandments, to which the ruler acknowledged his obedience, Jesus next swung to other commandments, such as idolatry, which the ruler could not conform to. The ruler’s obedience stopped at the door of no longer idolizing the money and possessions and power that he had obtained. This was a door through which he would not walk. It became the trap of his own making which would prevent him from eternal life.