Elon Musk is widely considered the richest man in the world. He can do whatever he wants: build a car that has been the most sought-after in the United States; build spaceships that can go into orbit, then come back and land at the exact same spot from which they left; even build a machine that will allow the blind to see. Elon Musk has enough money to do whatever he wants, except for one thing: he can’t buy a ticket to heaven! It would be easier for someone with no earthly possessions. The song says, “Money Can’t Buy You Love.” Well, guess what? It can’t buy your way to heaven either!
THE MAN WHO THINKS HE HAS WHAT IT TAKES
In Mark 10:17-31, Jesus meets a man who wants just that… eternal life! Like Musk, in his wildest imagination, the man thinks he has what it takes. Jesus, of course, knew what was on his mind, and so He gives him the drill. Jesus asks: Have you committed murder? Committed adultery? Stolen anything lately? Lied? How are you treating Mom and Dad?
“I’VE BEEN A VERY GOOD BOY”
To paraphrase, the man replies, “I’ve been a very good boy. I haven’t done any of these things.” But none of these behaviors impressed Jesus. Jesus wasn’t looking for followers who could check off a list of things they hadn’t done. Jesus wanted followers with compassionate hearts. He wanted to see what they had done with what they possessed.
RICHES ARE NOT ALWAYS A BLESSING
The young man “went away sad because he had great wealth.” I wonder if Elon Musk ever gets depressed because he has great wealth? It is difficult for those in love with their achievements and what they own. Jesus himself said: “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God…It would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God”. Riches are not necessarily a blessing.
JESUS DID NOT WRITE HIM OFF
But how did Jesus treat this rich man? Did He write him off? Verse 21 has an interesting phrase: “Jesus looked at him and loved him”! Did you catch that? He looked at him and loved him. Why did the Savior of mankind take the time to discuss eternal things with someone who clearly was caught up in keeping the riches he had accumulated? Because Jesus loved him! And that is what makes our Savior so wonderful. He loves us despite us. It doesn’t matter what our views are or what our condition is; He loves us! When we come to God, we all begin with that truth: He loves us. Tragically, at the crossroads of his eternal destiny, the rich man chose the broad way and rejected the Savior Who loved him.
DON’T CHOOSE WHAT YOU CAN’T KEEP
Missionary and martyr Jim Elliot wrote in his journal: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” The rich young ruler made the mistake of choosing what he could not keep. He lost eternity. What about you? Which have you chosen?
Click to read further about Jim Elliot.
