p. 11 | The Rich Ruler by D. A. Ball

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Feb 23, 1905

The Rich Ruler

By D. A. Ball

D. A. BALL

Matthew, Mark, and Luke record the narrative concerning the rich young ruler who came to the Saviour and propounded the most important question that it is possible for man to ask.

A large crowd of men, women, and children had assembled on the coast of Judea. Parents were anxious to secure the blessing of the Master upon their children, and children were eager to receive it. Others thought that these parents and children were taking too much of the Master's time and attention, and strove to hinder them from coming to Jesus. Jesus rebuked these by saying, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

The young ruler, watching this experience from a distance, was stirred by the Saviour's actions. He saw in the Saviour one greater than himself. From the question that he asked it is evident that he possessed a knowledge of the Scriptures. He knew that they taught that life could be obtained only through a coming Saviour. He also understood that the Scriptures contained more than one code of laws. Being thoroughly in love with life, and desiring a continuance of it, he addressed the Saviour, saying, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may inherit eternal life?” Jesus said unto him, “Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God; but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Then he asks the Saviour which. The Saviour replied by quoting a number that are contained in the second table of the law, which relate to man's duty to his fellow men. Then the young man replied, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” To this question Jesus said, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.”

Here was a self-deceived ruler. He had doubtless inherited his wealth; for fortunes were not so easily collected then as they are in these days when riches are being heaped together.

The question that he asked indicated that his idea of obtaining was through inheritance, although he asked what he should do. Surely he possessed noble principles, and little did he realize that his goods were his god, or that his land was his lord, or that he thought more of the creature — self — than he did of the Creator. He did not prize the spiritual above the natural. Had he known that fulness of happiness which was in store for him as the result of obedience, earthly goods would have seemed of little value, and he would not have debated this question in his mind for a moment. How much wiser the choice that Moses made when he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, but chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a brief season. Let us look to it that we do not make the mistake that this rich young ruler made.