The Rich Young Ruler: Stewardship and Heart Devotion

I would be delighted to help you prepare for your AY program by crafting both a structured sermon outline and a heartfelt devotional on the Rich Young Ruler. It is a wonderful topic to explore with your young people, and I look forward to helping you bridge these timeless biblical lessons with their modern-day questions.

The Rich Young Ruler: A Call to Faithful Stewardship 🌟

Greetings, young people! Before we dive into our study of the rich young ruler, I want to share a little story with you.

🧒 The Story of the Two Builders

Imagine two children building towers in a sandbox. One child works very hard to find the biggest, shiniest stones and stacks them high, saying, "Look at my beautiful tower! It is all mine!" But as soon as the sun starts to set and his mother calls him home, he has to leave the stones behind in the sand. The second child finds stones too, but he uses them to build a bridge so that other children can cross a small stream in the park. When he goes home, he also leaves the stones behind, but the bridge stays, and the joy he gave to others follows him in his heart. The rich young ruler was like the first builder; he loved his "stones" more than he loved the One who gave them to him. We are here to learn how to be bridge-builders for GodDA 523.1.

---

💰 Is it Wrong to Want to be Rich?

In our world today, the rich young ruler represents many who have been entrusted with God's goods14LtMs, Ms 150, 1899, par. 31. It is important to understand that if, in the providence of God, wealth has been acquired, there is no sin in possessing it1T 169.1+1. Riches are not an evil in themselves; rather, they are an entrusted talent from the LordCS 133.1.

However, the danger lies in the heart's affection. Many grasp the treasures of earth as tenaciously as if they could hold on to them foreverCS 112.2. When men allow property to get too strong a hold of the mind, it becomes a snare that fosters pride and leads to extravagance11LtMs, Ms 25, 1896, par. 22. We must remember that all we have—our strength, skill, time, and means—is ours only in trust, and we must render an account to GodCS 22.2.

• The Gold is His: "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts" Haggai 2:8.

• The Cattle are His: "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills" Psalm 50:10.

---

🚪 Can a Rich Person Enter Heaven?

The question is not about the amount of money in your bank account, but who owns your heart. The rich young ruler's taste and desires were not offensive; he even knelt before Jesus, wanting eternal lifeRH September 11, 1900, par. 1+1. But when the test came, he refused to deny self and take up the crossRH September 11, 1900, par. 7. He wanted the treasures of heaven, but he was not willing to give up his earthly treasuresRH April 19, 1898, par. 14+1.

To enter heaven, one must die to selfRH September 11, 1900, par. 7+1. If a rich person uses their Lord's goods to set themselves above their fellow men, they prove unworthy of the kingdomSpTA06 35.1. Only those who will become co-workers with Christ and say, "Lord, all I have and all I am is Thine," will be acknowledged as children of GodDA 523.1.

• The Standard of Character: "If you will enter into life, keep the commandments" Matthew 19:17.

• The Test of Loyalty: "If you will be perfect, go and sell that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me" Matthew 19:21.

---

🏥 How Can the Rich Help the Mission?

God has entrusted goods to the wealthy so that they may advance His kingdom by planting the standard of truth in new places14LtMs, Ms 150, 1899, par. 31. There are several practical ways the rich can support the mission:

• Supporting Institutions: Our sanitariums, schools, and publishing houses are missionary institutions designed to bring people under the influence of truthPH100 10.2+1.

• Assisting the Poor: The wealthy should provide a fund for the worthy poor who are sick and cannot afford treatmentRH April 30, 1914, par. 15.

• Funding New Fields: Means should be put into circulation to send workers into dark places of the earth rather than being tied up in banks or unnecessary estatesRH February 4, 1904, par. 5.

• Reaching the Wealthy: We should even seek gifts from wealthy men of the world, as this is a way to come in touch with them so they may hear and believe the truthCS 188.3.

We must act wisely in trading upon our Lord's goods, multiplying the talents given us for the Master’s gainPH080 40.3+1.

---

🕊️ Devotional: Choosing the Higher Treasure

Young friends, the Holy Spirit is working on your hearts todayRH September 11, 1900, par. 7. Like the rich young ruler, you stand at a crossroads. You have talents—the pen, the press, the voice, the purse, and the sanctified affections of your soulSW February 9, 1904, par. 5. These are lent to you to test your characterAdvocate February 1, 1899, par. 7.

Do not be like the ruler who chose the gift over the Giver12LtMs, Lt 118, 1897, par. 33. He went away sorrowful because he loved his idol of riches more than he loved ChristRH September 25, 1900, par. 9. Instead, look to the example of Jesus. For our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich14LtMs, Lt 120, 1899, par. 17. He did not withhold His own life from us4T 481.1.

When you give your heart to God, your energy and your possessions will naturally be devoted to His serviceRH May 15, 1900, par. 11. This is the secret of a successful life: placing your weakness in His strength and your sinfulness in His righteousness2MCP 531.3. As you labor for the perishing, you fulfill God's great purpose and meet the high ideal of Christian educationPaM 238.1.

• A Promise of Strength: "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" Philippians 4:13.

• A Promise of Glory: "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever" Daniel 12:3.

📢 The Appeal

The day is fast approaching when it will be said to each of us: "Give an account of thy stewardship" Luke 16:25T 465.1. What are you going to do with the talents God has lent you? Will you wrap them in a napkin and hide them in the earth of selfish ambitionCS 323.4+1? Or will you lay them at the feet of the Redeemer?

I urge you today to forsake the "thorny path" of selfish indulgence and follow the "divine footsteps" of JesusCS 151.4. Choose to be a faithful steward. Give Him your heart, your talents, and your life. Will you decide now to use everything you have to hasten the coming of our King? The choice is yours. Choose Christ, and you choose a treasure that never fails5T 465.1.

Here is the sermon outline:

I. Introduction: The Two Builders

• The Selfish Builder: Focuses on gathering "shiny stones" (wealth/possessions) for personal pride, only to leave them behind when called home.
• The Bridge-Builder: Uses the same resources to serve others, creating a lasting impact and finding joy in the heart.
• Central Lesson: Like the Rich Young Ruler, we must decide if we love our "stones" more than the Giver.

II. The Theology of Wealth

• Wealth is not inherently sinful: Possession of riches is not a sin if acquired through God's providence.
• Riches as a Talent: Money, time, and skill are "entrusted talents" meant to be managed for God.
• The Danger of Affection: Earthly treasures become a snare when they foster pride, extravagance, and a tenacious grip on temporary things.
• God's Sovereignty: Everything belongs to Him Haggai 2:8+1.

III. The Test of the Heart

• Desire vs. Devotion: The Rich Young Ruler desired eternal life, but he failed the test of self-denial.
• The Cost of Entry: To enter heaven, one must "die to self" and prioritize Christ over earthly security.
• Biblical Standards:
  • Character: Keeping the commandments Matthew 19:17.
  • Loyalty: Willingness to sacrifice possessions to follow Christ Matthew 19:21.

IV. Practical Stewardship in Mission

• Advancing the Kingdom: Wealth should be used to plant the "standard of truth" in new areas.
• Key Areas for Support:
  • Institutions: Funding schools, sanitariums, and publishing houses.
  • Benevolence: Assisting the sick and poor.
  • Evangelism: Funding workers in "dark places" rather than hoarding means in banks.
  • Outreach: Engaging with the wealthy of the world to share the truth.

V. Choosing the Higher Treasure

• The Crossroads: Youth are called to use their talents (voice, pen, purse, and affection) for God's service.
• The Ultimate Example: Jesus became poor so that we might become rich in Him.
• The Secret to Success: Placing human weakness in Christ's strength and sinfulness in His righteousness.
• Divine Promises:
  • Strength through Christ Philippians 4:13.
  • Eternal glory for those who lead others to righteousness Daniel 12:3.

VI. Conclusion and Appeal

• The Accountability: Every person must eventually give an account of their stewardship Luke 16:2.
• The Choice: To hide talents in "selfish ambition" or lay them at the feet of the Redeemer.
• The Call to Action: Forsake the path of indulgence, choose to be a faithful steward, and use all resources to hasten the coming of the King.