The Rich Young Man

Today's  Reflections

 

The Rich Young Man

 graceandspace.org

Mt 19:16-22

¹⁶Someone approached [Jesus] and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” ¹⁷He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” ¹⁸He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; ¹⁹honor your father and your mother’; and ‘you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” ²⁰The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” ²¹Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to [the] poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ²²When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Reflection:

What good must I do to gain eternal life? The bottom line of not killing, not committing adultery, not stealing, etc., is to do good to others, although there is a negative formulation in the commandments—“You shall not.” To do good to others is not to harm them and is to look after their well-being. Thus, Jesus prescribes, “Give to the poor.” The rich young man is invited to fulfill the commandments in the positive formulation—by doing good—and not just refraining from doing evil.

Among biblical people, wealth is seen as evidence of God’s blessing. The rich young man considers himself as blessed, so there is a tone of arrogance and self-confidence when he claims, “All of these I have observed,” with regard to keeping the commandments. Jesus unmasks his misplaced religious devotion when he prescribes, “Go, sell what you have.” The young man’s real devotion is to his wealth. Riches can be an idol, mammon, which impedes the path to perfection.

Jesus is presenting to us the dangers of riches.

Do you find it true in your experience?