From the Home Place

November 19, 2025

Read Luke 18:18-30

This is the story of the “Rich Young Ruler.” It would be wise to determine the elements of his title. “Rich,” means exceeding wealth, which in biblical times, even as now, brings “great influence and power” according to Young’s Bible Dictionary. Just like with most things acquired by people, wealth can be either a blessing or a burden.

Second significant word, this man was “young.” Even in biblical times it was rather unusual for a young man to be considered rich, a luxury most often enjoyed by older men. You see, in most situations it takes the better part of a lifetime to be considered rich, but our young friend had been blessed with this title as a “young” man.

The third element of his title was that of “ruler.” This particular word gives us the insight that this man had most likely inherited his wealth from his father, a man of distinction. As such, our young ruler was most like a man who owned a successful business and ruled over his employes. I would suggest that he kept his employees poor, while he amassed great wealth.

That is why Jesus commanded him to “sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor.” In another words, give your wealth to those who have given it to you. It has always been a principal that the rich get richer, while the poor do the work to help them get richer. I’ve often said that “We middle-class Americans are so busy trying to make a living that we don’t have time to live.” Our rich young ruler was living a life of luxury, while his servants lived a life of servanthood.

For sure money is a strange bedfellow. It seems that the more of it we get, the more of it we want. Why is that, because money allows us to live “better” than those who have less money. Yet all the way through the Bible we find that the person who takes care of the poor is truly the blessed person.

Within the passage before us today, Jesus challenges the young man to surrender the thing that meant the most to him – his excessive wealth, and the power that comes with wealth. Notice Jesus’ suggestion in verse 22, “sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor,” but don’t forget to read all of the verse, “and come, follow Me.” Our earthly wealth doesn’t get us into heaven, following Jesus does.

For as Jesus had earlier stated, we can’t serve both God and wealth. I’ve always marveled at how many churches work hard at helping their pastor live by this principal. I remember being told that a pastor’s salary should be just enough to “keep him poor to keep him humble.” And yes, Miss Deb and I have served that church more than once. I’ve even been reminded by a rich congregant, “I pay your salary, so I have every right to expect you to do…..”

Just like for our young man mentioned in this story, money can easily cause people to think that they should have a certain amount of authority. Loved ones, I have endured hundreds of church business meetings over my years of serving as pastor and as a district employee, as such I have witnessed it being said in the heat of a discussion, “Do you know who pays the bills around here!” Then there is the saying that “the one who controls the gold, controls the kingdom.” You see, it isn’t just this rich young ruler who has struggled with wealth and serving God.

So, for us here today, what are we doing with what God has blessed us with? Back in the “old days” of church life, we were all encouraged to give one-tenth of our income to Christian ministry. Today, in America, the average Christian gives less than two percent of their income to ministry. With the old principal, we were always told, “Give God ten percent and He will allow you to keep ninety percent.” Well, I guess today we want to keep our ninety-eight percent. As such, are we really any different than the Rich Young Ruler?

In the words of Jesus Christ found in verse 27, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” Many times, I have seen God do the impossible of leading a wealthy person to bless a poor person. To the glory of God, there are always those within the local church who realize that the more they give away, the more God gives to them to give away.

I close with one question, “Do I own my wealth, or does my wealth own me?”

Serving God, not money, with you, Neal