Jesus challenges the rich, young ruler (Matthew 19:16-26)

The rich young ruler comes to Jesus with the request for the way that he himself could earn eternal life. Yet Jesus answers this man by first presenting God’s standard for good. The prideful man does not recognize his shortcomings and claims to have already kept all the commandments. But Jesus raises a challenge to the rich man: to give up his wealth to follow Jesus fully. The man leaves in failure, unable to release himself from his trust of his property. Jesus teaches His disciples the impossibility of men, even those that appear greatly blessed with wealth, to obtain eternal life and salvation. But what man cannot do, God can - salvation belongs to the LORD, and He offers it to those who humbly and wholeheartedly come to depend on Him.