And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
Mark 10:22 describes a young ruler of great possessions and responsible position who ran to Jesus, kneeled before Him, and earnestly asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, and who was made sad by Christ's call to sell what he had, give to the poor, take up the cross and follow Him for treasure in heaven. He went away grieved because his great possessions held his heart and affections as an idol, and he loved them with their honor and standing more than the Saviour, God, his fellow men, and immortal life. The demand exposed the selfishness and covetousness beneath his outward commandment-keeping, for he could be exact in outward duties yet withhold from the poor and love God's gifts more than their Giver. Belonging to God's kingdom requires more than outward rule-keeping, for discipleship demands willing self-surrender in which whatever would corrupt the whole person must be given up. His ordeal is one thousands still pass through in weighing Christ against the world, and the call to sell, give and follow still exposes whether love and self-sacrifice are present as the test of character.
Encounter and Context
The verse concerns a young ruler of great possessions and responsible position who had watched how tenderly Jesus received the children brought to Him and took them up in His arms. His heart was kindled with love for Christ and with desire to be His disciple. So deeply moved, as Jesus went on His way he ran after Him and kneeled at His feet. He asked with sincerity and earnestness what he must do to inherit eternal life, a question important to his soul and to the soul of every human being.
He had a high estimate of his own righteousness and did not think he was defective in anything. When Christ told him obedience to God's commandments was necessary and quoted the commandments showing man's duty to his fellow men, he answered that he had kept all these from his youth up and asked what he still lacked. Yet he was not altogether satisfied but felt the want of something he did not possess, hoping Jesus would bless him as He had blessed the little children and satisfy his soul want. His outward obedience did not include the humble, contrite heart and supreme love for God that he needed. He lacked discernment of his need for heart devotion and Christian goodness, and needed to trust in Christ's perfection to supply what was lacking.
The verse belongs to the One thing thou lackest account in Mark 10:17-22, which is the same account told in Matthew 19:16-22 and Luke 18:18-23. It stands in the event just before the parable of the laborers, which opened the way to present the right principles of reward. That setting exposes the loss of the truth of God's free grace through the teaching that God's favor must be earned and the reward of the righteous gained by works. It exposes worship prompted by a grasping, mercenary spirit from which even the disciples were not wholly free.
The saying that made him sad was the call to sell what he had and give to the poor and to take up the cross and follow Christ for treasure in heaven. Jesus presented this as the condition of discipleship. One onlooker thought Jesus had made a mistake, believing that a man of such wealth and standing could have helped sustain His cause.
Riches Chosen Over Christ
He went away sorrowful because his great possessions held his heart and affections as an idol that eclipsed the eternal inheritance, and he would not accept the call to give to the poor and follow for treasure in heaven unless that love was shifted from earth to heaven lest riches overcome and corrupt what was good in him. He valued those possessions, and the standing among people and the honor and power they gave, more than the Saviour, more than God and his fellow men, and more than immortal life and heavenly treasure, and he could not exchange visible earthly treasure for unseen heavenly treasure and so refused the offer of eternal life. His desire for eternal life was chilled by the condition of parting with riches, and he turned away sorrowful rather than give up his wealth.
The demand exposed selfishness and covetousness beneath outward commandment-keeping, for though he professed to keep the commandments he lacked their essential spirit of love to God and to other people, and his love of self and worldly gain was out of harmony with heaven and left him unfit for its kingdom. He could be exact in tithing small things like mint and rue yet remain close and covetous at heart, and unwillingness to sacrifice proves want of the true spirit of sacrifice acceptable to God when economy is stretched into meanness and weightier matters are neglected for a rigid, watching, judging spirit toward others. He loved God's gifts more than their Giver while the world held first place in his affections, so his claim to have kept the law was contradicted, and he did not love his neighbor as himself since he withheld from the poor what could have met their needs.
Though drawn to Christ and understanding the demand, he kept only a lingering desire for eternal life and did not leap with joy at the promise of treasure in heaven. He wanted both eternal life and the advantages of wealth and was unwilling to part with riches or to accept self-sacrificing love and complete surrender by imitating a self-denying, cross-bearing life that left everything for the salvation of men. He judged the loss of visible earthly treasure for unseen heavenly treasure too great a risk, and after a struggle he reluctantly turned sorrowfully from the cross and the self-sacrificing life of the Redeemer back to this world, refusing the offer and choosing to continue loving earthly treasures. He grieved because he wanted to keep his property, which was his idol, and have heaven too, and in sacrificing heaven with all its attractive glory for the world his decision fixed his destiny, with the world afterward receiving his worship.
His refusal shows that belonging to God's kingdom requires more than outward rule-keeping, for obedience must shape the life and character, and those who would belong must willingly give Christ all they have and all they are, becoming co-workers in His work whom Christ offers to use with their means as the way He saves them. Discipleship requires obedience and self-surrender in which whatever would corrupt the whole person must be given up, for nothing less than obedience can be accepted. Christ's demand, though appearing severe and exacting, was wisdom and the only terms that could place him where he would perfect Christian character, and accepting and obeying it was his only hope of salvation. His sadness revealed the subtle evil influence of exalted position and possessions that would supplant God in his affections if cherished, for to keep back little or much from God is to retain what lessens moral strength and efficiency, since cherished worldly things, however uncertain and unworthy, become all-absorbing. Worldly cares and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word and make it unfruitful, and those who refuse important truth and refuse to understand are left without excuse as light fades into darkness.
He would not withdraw his affections from riches and transfer his treasure to heaven by doing good with them, blessing the widow and fatherless, becoming rich in good works, helping the poor and relieving suffering. His possessions belonged to God and were entrusted to him, lent to be used to God's glory, and the greater the treasures laid up on earth the harder it is to realize they are not his own but lent for that use.
Present Warning and Call
The grief with which he turned from the saying belongs to some whom the Lord is still calling to engage in His service. When he was told to sell what he had and give to the poor and to take up the cross and follow Christ for treasure in heaven, he was sad and went away grieved because he had great possessions. That call laid bare whether he possessed the love and self-sacrifice that will be the test of character at the final judgment.
His ordeal is one that thousands still pass through in weighing Christ against the world, and many choose the world. To turn from the Saviour as he did is to say in the heart, I will not have this man as my leader. His heart was set upon his earthly riches, and his love for them was stronger than his love for God, his fellow men, and the immortal inheritance, though few realize how strong that love is until the test is brought to bear. When the way to life was pointed out and the cost estimated, he would not withdraw his affections from his treasures and transfer them to heaven by doing good with them, blessing the widow and the fatherless, and becoming rich in good works. He wanted both worlds but rejected the offer of treasure in heaven because he would not comply with the conditions, and so sacrificed heaven with all its glory for the treasures of the world.
His choice proves that many who inquire the way to life and profess to follow Christ love riches more than neighbor and God, decide that heaven costs too much, and testify by their works that they are unprepared for heaven. The greater the treasures laid up on earth, the harder it is to realize they are not one's own but lent to be used to God's glory. The same danger meets wealthy people who are willing to support God's work only on their own terms, when Jesus exposes the attachment that stands between them and eternal life. Possessions and self-will can then keep them from giving themselves and their means as God directs.
Mark 10:22 describes a young ruler of great possessions and responsible position who ran to Jesus, kneeled before Him, and earnestly asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, and who was made sad by Christ's call to sell what he had, give to the poor, take up the cross and follow Him for treasure in heaven. He went away grieved because his great possessions held his heart and affections as an idol, and he loved them with their honor and standing more than the Saviour, God, his fellow men, and immortal life. The demand exposed the selfishness and covetousness beneath his outward commandment-keeping, for he could be exact in outward duties yet withhold from the poor and love God's gifts more than their Giver. Belonging to God's kingdom requires more than outward rule-keeping, for discipleship demands willing self-surrender in which whatever would corrupt the whole person must be given up. His ordeal is one thousands still pass through in weighing Christ against the world, and the call to sell, give and follow still exposes whether love and self-sacrifice are present as the test of character.
Encounter and Context
The verse concerns a young ruler of great possessions and responsible position who had watched how tenderly Jesus received the children brought to Him and took them up in His arms. His heart was kindled with love for Christ and with desire to be His disciple. So deeply moved, as Jesus went on His way he ran after Him and kneeled at His feet. He asked with sincerity and earnestness what he must do to inherit eternal life, a question important to his soul and to the soul of every human being.
He had a high estimate of his own righteousness and did not think he was defective in anything. When Christ told him obedience to God's commandments was necessary and quoted the commandments showing man's duty to his fellow men, he answered that he had kept all these from his youth up and asked what he still lacked. Yet he was not altogether satisfied but felt the want of something he did not possess, hoping Jesus would bless him as He had blessed the little children and satisfy his soul want. His outward obedience did not include the humble, contrite heart and supreme love for God that he needed. He lacked discernment of his need for heart devotion and Christian goodness, and needed to trust in Christ's perfection to supply what was lacking.
The verse belongs to the One thing thou lackest account in Mark 10:17-22, which is the same account told in Matthew 19:16-22 and Luke 18:18-23. It stands in the event just before the parable of the laborers, which opened the way to present the right principles of reward. That setting exposes the loss of the truth of God's free grace through the teaching that God's favor must be earned and the reward of the righteous gained by works. It exposes worship prompted by a grasping, mercenary spirit from which even the disciples were not wholly free.
The saying that made him sad was the call to sell what he had and give to the poor and to take up the cross and follow Christ for treasure in heaven. Jesus presented this as the condition of discipleship. One onlooker thought Jesus had made a mistake, believing that a man of such wealth and standing could have helped sustain His cause.
Riches Chosen Over Christ
He went away sorrowful because his great possessions held his heart and affections as an idol that eclipsed the eternal inheritance, and he would not accept the call to give to the poor and follow for treasure in heaven unless that love was shifted from earth to heaven lest riches overcome and corrupt what was good in him. He valued those possessions, and the standing among people and the honor and power they gave, more than the Saviour, more than God and his fellow men, and more than immortal life and heavenly treasure, and he could not exchange visible earthly treasure for unseen heavenly treasure and so refused the offer of eternal life. His desire for eternal life was chilled by the condition of parting with riches, and he turned away sorrowful rather than give up his wealth.
The demand exposed selfishness and covetousness beneath outward commandment-keeping, for though he professed to keep the commandments he lacked their essential spirit of love to God and to other people, and his love of self and worldly gain was out of harmony with heaven and left him unfit for its kingdom. He could be exact in tithing small things like mint and rue yet remain close and covetous at heart, and unwillingness to sacrifice proves want of the true spirit of sacrifice acceptable to God when economy is stretched into meanness and weightier matters are neglected for a rigid, watching, judging spirit toward others. He loved God's gifts more than their Giver while the world held first place in his affections, so his claim to have kept the law was contradicted, and he did not love his neighbor as himself since he withheld from the poor what could have met their needs.
Though drawn to Christ and understanding the demand, he kept only a lingering desire for eternal life and did not leap with joy at the promise of treasure in heaven. He wanted both eternal life and the advantages of wealth and was unwilling to part with riches or to accept self-sacrificing love and complete surrender by imitating a self-denying, cross-bearing life that left everything for the salvation of men. He judged the loss of visible earthly treasure for unseen heavenly treasure too great a risk, and after a struggle he reluctantly turned sorrowfully from the cross and the self-sacrificing life of the Redeemer back to this world, refusing the offer and choosing to continue loving earthly treasures. He grieved because he wanted to keep his property, which was his idol, and have heaven too, and in sacrificing heaven with all its attractive glory for the world his decision fixed his destiny, with the world afterward receiving his worship.
His refusal shows that belonging to God's kingdom requires more than outward rule-keeping, for obedience must shape the life and character, and those who would belong must willingly give Christ all they have and all they are, becoming co-workers in His work whom Christ offers to use with their means as the way He saves them. Discipleship requires obedience and self-surrender in which whatever would corrupt the whole person must be given up, for nothing less than obedience can be accepted. Christ's demand, though appearing severe and exacting, was wisdom and the only terms that could place him where he would perfect Christian character, and accepting and obeying it was his only hope of salvation. His sadness revealed the subtle evil influence of exalted position and possessions that would supplant God in his affections if cherished, for to keep back little or much from God is to retain what lessens moral strength and efficiency, since cherished worldly things, however uncertain and unworthy, become all-absorbing. Worldly cares and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word and make it unfruitful, and those who refuse important truth and refuse to understand are left without excuse as light fades into darkness.
He would not withdraw his affections from riches and transfer his treasure to heaven by doing good with them, blessing the widow and fatherless, becoming rich in good works, helping the poor and relieving suffering. His possessions belonged to God and were entrusted to him, lent to be used to God's glory, and the greater the treasures laid up on earth the harder it is to realize they are not his own but lent for that use.
Present Warning and Call
The grief with which he turned from the saying belongs to some whom the Lord is still calling to engage in His service. When he was told to sell what he had and give to the poor and to take up the cross and follow Christ for treasure in heaven, he was sad and went away grieved because he had great possessions. That call laid bare whether he possessed the love and self-sacrifice that will be the test of character at the final judgment.
His ordeal is one that thousands still pass through in weighing Christ against the world, and many choose the world. To turn from the Saviour as he did is to say in the heart, I will not have this man as my leader. His heart was set upon his earthly riches, and his love for them was stronger than his love for God, his fellow men, and the immortal inheritance, though few realize how strong that love is until the test is brought to bear. When the way to life was pointed out and the cost estimated, he would not withdraw his affections from his treasures and transfer them to heaven by doing good with them, blessing the widow and the fatherless, and becoming rich in good works. He wanted both worlds but rejected the offer of treasure in heaven because he would not comply with the conditions, and so sacrificed heaven with all its glory for the treasures of the world.
His choice proves that many who inquire the way to life and profess to follow Christ love riches more than neighbor and God, decide that heaven costs too much, and testify by their works that they are unprepared for heaven. The greater the treasures laid up on earth, the harder it is to realize they are not one's own but lent to be used to God's glory. The same danger meets wealthy people who are willing to support God's work only on their own terms, when Jesus exposes the attachment that stands between them and eternal life. Possessions and self-will can then keep them from giving themselves and their means as God directs.