Lordship is the Problem, not Wealth
And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Then he said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER; YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY; YOU SHALL NOT STEAL; YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS; HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER; and YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. “Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. “But many who are first will be last; and the last, first. (Matthew 19:16-30)
Introduction
In this essay we’ll look at Jesus’ response to the rich young ruler and discuss the issue of wealth and entrance into the kingdom of God. We will use other supporting Scripture to correctly interpret the meaning of Jesus’ admonition to the disciples on riches being a hindrance to entering the kingdom.
Key Words and Phrases
- Eternal Life – αἰώνιος (Strong’s G166) & ζωή (Strong’s G2222)
- Eternal – without beginning and end, that which always has been and always will be, without beginning, without end, never to cease, everlasting
- Life – Life, the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate, every living soul, of the absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both to the hypostatic “logos” and to Christ in whom the “logos” put on human nature, life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever. Knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent – John 17:3
- Complete – τέλειος (Strong’s G5046) brought to its end, finished, wanting nothing necessary to completeness, Perfect, that which is perfect, consummate human integrity and virtue, of men – full grown, adult, of full age, mature
- Enter – εἰσέρχομαι – (Strong’s G1525) to go out or come in: to enter, of men or animals, as into a house or a city, of Satan taking possession of the body of a person, of things: as food, that enters into the eater’s mouth, of entrance into any condition, state of things, society, employment, to arise, come into existence, begin to be, of men, to come before the public, to come into life, of thoughts that come into the mind
- Saved – σῴζω – (Strong’s G4982) to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction, one (from injury or peril), to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health, to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue, to save in the technical biblical sense
Negatively, to deliver from the penalties of the Messianic judgment, to save from the evils which obstruct the reception of the Messianic deliverance
Messianic Model – Focus on Jesus’ example
At first glance it may appear that Jesus is against having wealth. But on a closer look we see that Jesus is actually aiming at something below the surface of riches. He’s aiming at a lack of commitment to the King, in other words Lordship. After some dialog about keeping the commands Jesus challenges the man to give everything to the poor and follow Him. Jesus admonishes the man, “if you want to be complete.” That Greek word for “complete” can also be translated “perfect” (and is done so in many other trustworthy translations). The man is unwilling and despite his sorrow, he walks away from Jesus.
As we flesh out our theology we find that even if one does give away all he owns, it will not suffice to enter the kingdom (1 Corinthians 13:3). We know from Scripture that perfection is only achieved by the shed blood of the Savior on the cross and our faith in Him (Matthew 19:21, Matthew 19:26, Ephesians 1:4, Ephesians 2:6-7, Ephesians 5:26-27, Colossians 1:22, Romans 8:1, Titus 3:5).
We see this principle perfectly modeled in how Jesus Himself interacted with riches. He did not condemn the righteous use of expensive items when they were offered in true devotion. For example, when Mary anointed Jesus with extremely costly perfume—worth nearly a year’s wages—it was argued that it should have been sold and the money given to the poor. Yet, Jesus defended her extravagant gift, declaring she had done a “good deed” in preparing Him for burial (Matthew 26:6-13). The issue was never the financial value of the perfume, but Mary’s heart of complete, unhindered worship. Unlike the rich young ruler who held tightly to his possessions, Mary gladly poured hers out at the feet of the King. Jesus’ call was for the rich man’s unwavering allegiance to the King, not his money.
Key Theological Implications
Let’s turn our attention to some other indicators that Jesus is not against possessing wealth in this passage and in other parts of Scripture. First, within the very context of Mark’s rendition of the story we see that Jesus is actually alluding to His disciples possessing “riches.”
Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.” Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. (Mark 10:28-30)
A hundred times more than what was given up is a lot. And notice that is not just in heaven. It is here in this present age. I would consider that pretty wealthy!
And there is Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10), a rich tax collector who only gives half his wealth to the poor. And for doing so Jesus declares, “Today salvation has come to this house!” Why would Jesus ask one man to give all that he owns and another only required to give half. Because it’s not about the wealth, it’s about the heart. Jesus wants our complete allegiance.
But before we completely side step Jesus’ warning about riches, we need to take His admonition seriously. In the passage Jesus clearly states that it’s hard for the wealthy to enter the kingdom (Matthew 19:24). In another passage He states it impossible to serve two masters, wealth being one of them and God being the other (Matthew 6:24). In a different setting Jesus offers a parable where a man decides to build two barns to store all his produce and he dies having invested in earthly wealth but being bankrupt when it comes to eternal treasures.
Contemporary Spiritual Significance
I would imagine that most of my audience are middle class Americans with a steady income. This is well above the majority population living in the first century in Palestine who lived hand to mouth. And as much as we may complain about not being able to “make ends meet” most of us would be considered rich by the standards the disciples of Jesus were used to seeing. And we can see the effects of affluence, comfort, and leisure has taken on the spirituality of our culture. And although some have been able to escape the snare of wealth, Jesus’ admonition still rings true. But as a reminder it is not only wealth that’s the problem, it’s the level of commitment to the Lord and King. And like the first century, many will not enter the kingdom because of it.
The Transformative Power of the Lordship of Jesus Christ
The comparison between Zacchaeus and the rich young ruler gives insight into how one can be transformed even when possessing great riches. It is evident that where one was unwilling to part with his wealth the other gave it freely to the poor and made a generous restitution for his shady deals. Being willing to part with wealth is a sign of loyalty, allegiance, and sincerity to follow Jesus. And in Zacchaeus’ case it only took half to prove his devotion to Christ. This transformation takes place by surrendering the lesser for the greater and the practice of generosity and restitution. Jesus deserves our total allegiance.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Jesus is not condemning the possession of wealth, but rather the tragedy of allowing our possessions to possess us. As we navigate building careers and managing our finances in an affluent culture, we must constantly evaluate whether our money is a tool for God’s purposes or a master demanding our allegiance. True transformation requires a heart that joyfully surrenders everything to the absolute Lordship of Christ, proving our devotion through open-handed generosity. May we hold our earthly treasures loosely, always remembering that we cannot serve both God and wealth (Matthew 6:24).
Disciple-Maker’s Short Story
The Weight of Silver
The Mercedes gleamed under the morning sun like a freshly minted accusation. Trevor felt his jaw tighten as Pastor Caldwell stepped out of the silver sedan, adjusting his tailored suit jacket with the unconscious ease of someone who had never known want.
“Unbelievable,” Trevor muttered, his grip tightening on the steering wheel of his ten-year-old Honda. Beside him, his mentor Samuel followed his gaze with quiet observation.
“What’s eating at you, son?”
“Look at that.” Trevor gestured toward the luxury vehicle now parked among the congregation’s collection of SUVs and sports cars. “How can he stand up there and preach about serving the poor when he’s driving around in a car worth more than most people make in a year?”
Samuel shifted in the passenger seat, his weathered hands folding calmly in his lap. At seventy-two, he carried the particular stillness of a man who had wrestled with angels and emerged humbled rather than triumphant.
“Tell me about Pastor Caldwell’s wife,” Samuel said quietly.
The unexpected question caught Trevor off-guard. “Elena? What about her?”
“What kind of car does she drive?”
Trevor frowned, scanning the parking lot until he spotted the familiar dented Toyota Camry with the faded paint. “That old thing over there. But what does that have to—”
“And their house?”
“It’s… modest, I guess. Three bedrooms in that older neighborhood off Maple Street.” Trevor’s voice carried a note of reluctant admission. “But Samuel, that doesn’t excuse—”
“Do you know about the Rodriguezes?”
The abrupt shift left Trevor fumbling. “The family that lost everything in the fire? What about them?”
“Who paid for their temporary housing while insurance sorted itself out?”
The pieces began clicking into place with uncomfortable precision. Trevor had heard whispers, fragments of conversations quickly hushed when others approached. Anonymous donations. Quiet acts of generosity that somehow always seemed to trace back to sources people preferred not to discuss publicly.
“And the Chen boy’s cancer treatments?”
Trevor’s shoulders sagged slightly. “That was… that was covered by some fund.”
“The Caldwell Family Foundation,” Samuel said gently. “Established five years ago. They’ve quietly handled seventeen major medical crises in our church alone.”
A BMW pulled up beside them, its owner stepping out with keys that caught the light like tiny silver promises. Trevor felt his indignation reignite. “So what, Samuel? Are you saying we should applaud them for having expensive taste while people are struggling?”
Samuel’s smile carried the patient warmth of a grandfather explaining why storms were necessary for growth. “I’m saying you’re asking the wrong questions, Trevor. You’re looking at what they have instead of asking what they’ve given up to have it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Pastor Caldwell inherited his father’s construction business at twenty-five. Do you know what that company was worth when he decided to enter ministry instead of expanding it?”
The question hung in the air like incense, heavy with implications Trevor wasn’t ready to consider.
“He could have built an empire, son. Could have owned half this county by now. Instead, he kept just enough of the business running to support his family and fund his real calling.” Samuel paused, watching as the pastor stopped to help an elderly woman navigate the curb with her walker. “That Mercedes? Old man Peterson wrecked it two years ago and was going to junk it. Instead, he gave it to Pastor Caldwell as a gift. Half the men in our congregation spent their Saturdays for three months fixing it up—new engine, bodywork, paint job. It was their labor of love.”
Trevor felt something uncomfortable shifting in his chest, like furniture being rearranged in a room he’d grown accustomed to navigating in the dark.
“But it still looks wrong,” he protested weakly. “People see the car and make assumptions.”
“The same assumptions you made?”
The words struck with surgical precision. Trevor winced but couldn’t argue.
“You know what Jesus told the rich young ruler?” Samuel continued. “Give everything away and follow me. But do you remember what he promised those who had already given everything to follow him?”
Trevor shook his head.
“‘A hundred times as much in this present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions.’ Not just in heaven, Marcus. Here. Now. In this life.”
A Lexus pulled into the space in front of them, followed by a compact car with a cracked windshield and a fading “Jesus Loves You” bumper sticker.
“The problem isn’t wealth,” Samuel said, watching both families emerge and greet each other with equal warmth. “The problem is lordship. What rules your heart? Your money, or your Master?”
Trevor thought about his own modest savings account, carefully guarded against any request that might diminish it. About the mission trip fundraiser he’d avoided contributing to because he was saving for a new laptop. About the homeless man he’d walked past yesterday, clutching his wallet tighter instead of reaching into it.
“I don’t give much either, do I?” he asked quietly.
“Do you know why it’s hard for rich people to enter the kingdom of heaven?”
Trevor waited, sensing this was more than rhetorical.
“Because wealth whispers promises that God alone should make. Security. Significance. Control.” Samuel’s voice carried the weight of personal experience. “The more you have, the harder it becomes to remember that everything—everything—belongs to Him. You become the steward of great resources, and stewardship is one of the heaviest responsibilities God can place on a human heart.”
Pastor Caldwell had reached the church entrance now, but instead of going inside, he stood greeting each family personally, remembering names, asking about sick relatives, celebrating small victories with the enthusiasm of someone for whom every congregation member mattered deeply.
“Watch him,” Samuel murmured. “Really watch.”
Trevor observed more carefully. The pastor’s suit, while well-tailored, showed signs of careful maintenance—a small repair near the pocket, shoes that had been resoled. His attention wasn’t on himself but completely focused on others, as if each person approaching was the most important individual in the world.
“He carries wealth like a cross,” Samuel said softly. “Every dollar is a decision. Every purchase is weighed against a hundred other needs he could meet. You think it’s easy being wealthy and faithful? Try carrying the weight of knowing that your comfort could be someone else’s survival.”
A young couple approached them, the woman visibly pregnant, the man’s clothes bearing the distinctive marks of blue-collar work. Pastor Caldwell’s face lit up as if they were royalty, and Trevor watched him slip something into the man’s hand with the practiced discretion of someone who understood dignity.
“But why not just give it all away?” Trevor asked. “Wouldn’t that be more… Christian?”
“Would it?” Samuel countered. “If he gave away the business, who would employ the forty-three people who work there? If he liquidated everything, where would the steady stream of support for missions, medical bills, and emergency needs come from? Sometimes stewardship means keeping resources flowing, not just dispersing them once.”
Trevor felt the foundations of his judgment shifting, revealing the shaky ground on which he’d built his moral indignation.
“Remember Zacchaeus?” Samuel continued. “Jesus didn’t ask him to give away everything. Half was enough to prove his heart had changed. But the rich young ruler? Jesus saw that his wealth owned him, not the other way around. Same question, different answers, because Jesus was looking at hearts, not bank accounts.”
They sat in comfortable silence as the parking lot gradually emptied, families making their way toward worship. Trevor found himself reconsidering every luxury vehicle, every designer outfit, every visible sign of prosperity he’d catalogued and condemned.
“The real question,” Samuel said as they prepared to leave the car, “isn’t whether someone should have wealth. It’s whether wealth has them. And that’s a question only God can answer about any of us.”
As they walked toward the church entrance, Trevor caught sight of his reflection in a store window—his carefully maintained appearance, his defensive posture toward generosity, his quick judgment of others. He wondered if his poverty of spirit might be more dangerous than anyone’s abundance of resources.
Pastor Caldwell held the door open for them, his smile genuine and welcoming. “Good morning, gentlemen. Beautiful day the Lord has made, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is,” Trevor replied, meaning it in ways he was only beginning to understand.
Inside, as they settled into their seats, Samuel leaned over one final time. “You know what the most dangerous thing about wealth is, Trevor?”
“What?”
“It’s not that it might keep someone out of heaven. It’s that we might use our judgment of wealthy people as an excuse to avoid examining our own hearts. Pride, envy, self-righteousness—these are just as deadly as greed, and often harder to see.”
The service began with a call to worship, voices joining together regardless of the value of the cars outside or the labels inside their clothes. In that moment, Trevor understood that transformation—his own included—wasn’t about achieving some perfect standard of poverty or wealth, but about surrendering whatever he had, much or little, to the lordship of Christ.
He thought of the hundred-fold promise, not as material reward, but as the exponential blessing that comes from holding everything loosely enough for God to use it as He wills. And for the first time in months, when the offering plate passed, Trevor gave not out of obligation, but out of a heart that was learning to trust that generosity, like grace, multiplies in ways that make earthly accounting seem almost absurdly small.
The weight of silver, he realized, was nothing compared to the weight of glory that awaited those who learned to carry both wealth and poverty as Christ had carried His cross—not as a burden, but as an instrument of redemption.
ToBeLikeJesus 