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Sunday Morning Service
Our text today tells the story of the Rich Young Ruler, who asks an all-important question: "What must I do to inherit Eternal life?"
He had come to a point where he realized something crucial was missing. He approached Jesus seeking the one thing that would make him whole, wanting to be certain he possessed eternal life. He took pride in diligently keeping the commandments concerning his fellow man, but he faltered when it came to the first commandment: having no other gods before the one true God.
When Jesus instructed him to "go and sell all that he had and give to the poor," it was a task he simply couldn't bring himself to do. His vast riches were too great a price to pay, too difficult a task to undertake. As verse 23 states, "When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy."
This story powerfully teaches us that anything we cling to more than God – whether it be wealth, reputation, comfort, or control – ultimately becomes an idol. Such idols prevent true discipleship and hinder our entry into the Kingdom of God. Following Jesus indeed has a cost, but that cost is always far less than the immense value of what we gain. What it demands is our highest and undivided allegiance.