A rich ruler asked Jesus a serious question, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Eternal life is a gift of God in Jesus. But he thought he could earn eternal life by his own goodness and noble activities. Jesus reminds him of the ultimate standard of God's goodness, which no one can attain, by mentioning the commandments. It was to help him see himself in light of God's standard. But he was blind to his true condition. Jesus pointed one thing he lacked by challenging him to sell everything he had, give to the poor, and follow him. Jesus helped him to apply God's word practically and know the value of eternal life. It required total commitment to Jesus. It was hard, but necessary for him to have treasure in heaven, eternal life. But he became sad, for he could not give up his great wealth on earth. This reveals his love of wealth more than God and his poor neighbors. But eternal life is worth selling everything we have.

The disciples were puzzled by Jesus' words (24-25) and asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus' reply was "What is impossible with man is possible with God." Indeed, all things are possible with God, even the conversion of the wealthy. God can change our value to desire Jesus more than prosperity when we follow Christ.


Application: Lord, please help me sell everything to gain Christ and be found in him so that I may enjoy eternal life in this world and in the world to come.
One Word: Sell everything to have eternal life.