Luke 18:22 – “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.'”
Extended Explanation
After the rich young ruler confidently claimed that he had kept all the commandments, Jesus lovingly points out the one thing that is holding him back: his attachment to wealth. Jesus tells him to sell everything he has, give the proceeds to the poor, and then follow Him. This was not just about charity or giving away possessions—it was about surrendering what the man valued most and trusting fully in God.
Jesus exposes the fact that the man’s heart is tied to his material possessions. Although the man appeared outwardly righteous, his wealth was an idol that kept him from fully committing to God. Jesus’ command to give everything away wasn’t a general requirement for everyone, but it was necessary in this case because the man’s attachment to wealth was preventing him from truly following Jesus.
Jesus also promises him “treasure in heaven,” showing that what God offers is far greater and more lasting than earthly wealth. The call to “come, follow me” is an invitation to enter into a relationship with Jesus and to live a life of faith and trust in Him.
Historical Context
In Jewish culture, wealth was often seen as a sign of God’s blessing. Many believed that if someone was rich, it meant they were favored by God. The rich young ruler likely thought his wealth was evidence of his righteousness, and giving it all away would have seemed like a shocking and extreme demand.
However, Jesus’ teaching challenges the cultural assumption that wealth equals God’s favor. Throughout His ministry, Jesus taught that earthly riches could become a spiritual hindrance if they were valued more than God (Matthew 6:24). By asking the man to give up his wealth, Jesus was testing whether the man valued his possessions more than eternal life and a relationship with God.
Theological Implications
This verse reveals a key theological truth: salvation requires total surrender to God. The rich young ruler’s problem wasn’t just his wealth—it was that his heart was divided. He couldn’t fully follow Jesus because he was clinging to his material possessions. Jesus teaches that nothing should come before God in a person’s life, and anything that does can become an idol.
This verse also illustrates the nature of true discipleship. Following Jesus isn’t about adding Him to an already comfortable life—it’s about prioritizing Him above everything else. The man’s response shows that outward obedience to rules is not enough if the heart is still tied to worldly things. Eternal life is a gift that requires faith and a willingness to let go of anything that stands in the way of fully trusting God.
Additionally, the promise of “treasure in heaven” highlights the eternal rewards that come with faith and obedience. Earthly possessions are temporary, but the rewards of following Christ last forever.
Literary Analysis
This verse is structured to reveal both a challenge and an invitation. The phrase “you still lack one thing” sets up the turning point in the conversation. The man, who thought he had everything under control, is confronted with the reality that something essential is missing. Jesus’ command to sell everything, give to the poor, and follow Him is both specific to the man’s situation and universally applicable in the sense that all followers of Jesus must be willing to surrender whatever holds them back.
The contrast between earthly wealth and heavenly treasure is central to the verse. Jesus doesn’t just ask the man to give up his possessions; He offers him something far greater in return—eternal treasure and a relationship with God.
Biblical Cross-References
- Matthew 6:19-21 – “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
- 1 Timothy 6:10 – “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
- Mark 8:36 – “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
- Matthew 13:44 – “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
These verses emphasize the dangers of valuing earthly wealth over spiritual riches and the need for total commitment to God.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder to examine their priorities. Are there things in their lives that they are unwilling to surrender to God? While Jesus may not be asking everyone to sell all their possessions, the principle remains the same: nothing should come before God. Whether it’s wealth, career, relationships, or personal ambitions, anything that takes priority over following Jesus is an obstacle to true discipleship.
This verse also challenges Christians to consider how they use their resources. Jesus’ command to give to the poor reflects God’s heart for generosity and compassion. Believers are called to view their possessions as gifts from God to be used for His purposes, not as things to hoard or idolize.
Ultimately, this verse encourages believers to trust in God’s promises. The treasure that comes from following Jesus is eternal and far greater than anything the world can offer.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in the fact that Jesus doesn’t just expose the man’s weakness—He offers him a way forward. Jesus’ command to sell everything and follow Him wasn’t meant to harm the man but to free him from the chains of materialism and lead him to true life. God’s love is patient and compassionate, but it is also uncompromising. He loves us too much to let us cling to things that ultimately harm us or keep us from Him.
God’s love is also seen in the promise of eternal treasure. He doesn’t ask believers to give up things without offering something far greater in return. His love ensures that whatever sacrifices believers make for Him will be rewarded in ways that surpass anything they could imagine.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is central to this verse because He is the one calling the man to follow Him. The man’s question about eternal life is answered not by a list of additional commandments but by an invitation to enter a relationship with Jesus. This shows that salvation is not about doing more good deeds but about trusting and following Christ.
Jesus also serves as the perfect example of surrender. He gave up the riches of heaven to come to earth and lay down His life for humanity (Philippians 2:6-8). By following Jesus, believers are called to reflect His humility and willingness to give everything for the sake of God’s kingdom.
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus provided the only way to eternal life. The rich young ruler’s mistake was thinking he could achieve it through his own efforts, but Jesus teaches that it requires faith, surrender, and a heart devoted to God.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What possessions or priorities in your life might be preventing you from fully following Jesus?
- How can you practice generosity and view your possessions as gifts from God to be used for His purposes?
- What does “treasure in heaven” mean to you, and how does it influence your daily decisions?
- Have you ever felt like the rich young ruler—confident in your obedience but struggling to surrender something important to God?
- How can Jesus’ example of humility and sacrifice inspire you to live a life of surrender and trust in God?