Gloria Copeland — The Rich Young Ruler Part 1

There is another area that I want to share with you about
God’s financial system. In Mark 10:17-23, we find the story of
the rich young ruler. This is one of the most misunderstood
incidents in the whole Bible. We have read this in the light of
the world’s traditional system, thinking God wanted to break
that young man but this is not so. We have misunderstood it
for the same reason that the rich young ruler missed God—
ignorance of the Word of God. He did not know what the covenant
said. He knew “the Law” and the Ten Commandments,
but the Abrahamic Covenant covered much more than these.
God made an agreement with Abraham and promised to do certain
things if he would obey the Word; then the prophets were
raised up to add to this covenant and record it for Israel to use.
Let’s read Mark’s account of this conversation.
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came
one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good
Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good?
there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest
the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not
kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud
not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered
and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed
from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him,
and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way,
sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and
thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up
the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying,
and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples,
How hardly shall they that have riches enter into
the kingdom of God!