The Rich Young Ruler

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A rich young ruler in Israel came to Christ asking Him how to obtain eternal life. And though he received from the Lord a clear answer he did not, as far as we can tell, follow the Master’s advice. He went away sorrowing because of his great wealth with which he was not willing to part, Luke 18:23. He became an example of how great riches can be a reason why people err from the way of salvation. Many people in our time would rather keep their wealth than come to Christ for salvation. The mammon of unrighteousness becomes their idol in preference to the true God.

The Lord saw how very sorrowful that man was, and since He knows what is in man, John 2:25, He perceived how his wealth stood between him and eternal life. The Saviour said, ‘How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!’ Luke 18:24. He likened it to the passage of a camel, the largest common animal, through the eye of the needle, v. 25. To the Jewish mind at the time being rich was a sign of God’s favour. Therefore, those words of the Lord drew from His audience the reaction, ‘Who then can be saved?’ v. 26. If there was so much difficulty for the favoured rich to be saved, how can anyone else be saved?

The Lord, however, has spoken of it as a difficulty, not an impossibility. His answer to their question pointed them to the truth that ‘with God nothing is impossible’, Gen. 18:14. Our God is able to save both poor and rich. ‘The things which are impossible with men are possible with God’, Luke 18:27.

We see God’s almighty power both in creation, Heb. 1:3, and in providence, Acts 17:28. But when it came to providing salvation for mankind it took more than His power! It took the incarnation, death, and resurrection of His blessed Son, Heb. 1:3. Thus, He made purification for sin by the sacrifice of Himself. How remarkable to see Him on the way to the cross, talking about the value of His sacrifice in the sight of God! Hence He could assure the crowd that day that ‘he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come to God by him’, 7:25, regardless of whether they are materially rich or poor.


Mikhael, B. (2010). August 6th: Who Then Can Be Saved? (Luke 18:18–30). In K. Totton (Ed.), Day by Day: Bible Questions (p. 237). Bristol, UK: Precious Seed.

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