The Power of Humility

Luke 18:18-30
18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” 28 And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

          The story of the rich young ruler in Luke 18:18-30 is a powerful reminder of the truth that all goodness and holiness come from God alone, and that we should not put our trust in worldly wealth or material possessions. The rich young ruler approached Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, hoping to receive a task or some way of measuring his abilities. However, Jesus told him that no one can earn salvation and that only God is truly good.
         Jesus reminded the rich young ruler that salvation does not come from good deeds unaccompanied by the love for God and that he needed a different starting point. Instead of adding one more rule to keep or a good deed to perform, the rich young ruler needed to submit humbly to the lordship of Christ. This was a difficult request for the rich young ruler, as his wealth had become his god and he was unable to give his entire heart and life to God.
         In this story, Jesus does not ask all Christians to sell all that they have, but he does ask us to dispose of whatever has become more important to us than God. If our source of security has shifted from God to what we own, it would be better for us to get rid of those possessions. The rich young ruler's encounter with Jesus highlights the difficulties that wealthy individuals face in understanding their need for salvation, as wealth often represents power, authority, and achievement. However, Jesus reminds us that faith and trust in God, not in self or wealth, is what counts.
         In the future, the values and ethics of this world will be reversed, and the people who seek status and significance here will have none. The people who are humble and have served others will be esteemed in heaven. This story reminds us to not focus on what we have given up but to reflect on what we have gained and offer gratitude to God for it. There is no way that we can out-give God, and he will reward us for our Christian service and faith in the future.
         In conclusion, Luke 18:18-30 teaches us about the importance of a relationship with Christ and relying on his goodness and holiness. The story of the rich young ruler reminds us that salvation does not come from good deeds or wealth, but from a humble and obedient heart. Through this encounter, we see the difficulties that wealthy individuals face in understanding their need for salvation and the power of faith and trust in God. This story encourages us to prioritize our relationship with Christ above all else and to submit humbly to his lordship. By doing so, we can inherit eternal life and experience the love, peace, and joy that come from a life lived in obedience to God.

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