03/05/2026
Wednesday's Word
Luke’s Gospel tells us a lot about Jesus’ teachings on money and possessions. The stories are often taught individually, but when we read them together as one teaching, God’s view of money and possessions begins to take shape and can transform our own perspective. We invite you to read, and meditate on these stories, allowing God’s Word to shape your view of money and possessions.
Luke 18 (Scene 2 of 3)
Another man comes to Jesus desperately seeking eternal life. His story is so important that, not just Luke, but all three of the synoptic Gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke) tell it. This man has everything people spend their lives striving for and most of his years still ahead of him. Yet his life is lacking, and it’s troubling him.
Luke tells us the man is a ruler, probably from the priestly aristocracy – the Sadducees. Matthew adds that he’s wealthy. Mark says he’s young. Imagine the crowd parting as this man who has everything the world chases after – youth, power, and wealth – walks through them straight to Jesus … and gets down on his knees!
He’s about Jesus’ own age. He seems to know God’s law and have some confidence he’s keeping it. Yet he also seems to understand he’s missing something important.
He asks a question no one in Israel would’ve asked – because they thought they already knew the answer – and no Sadducee would’ve considered, because they were adamant it wasn’t possible: “How do I inherit eternal life?”
The Sadducees didn’t believe in the supernatural, the resurrection, or life after death. But this doesn’t have the ring of a trick question. All three accounts of this story portray this young man as sincere, having some kind of conclusion that eternal life is possible; he just doesn’t have it.
All he’s achieved and obtained have only provided him an awareness that money, possessions, and power don’t satisfy. He’s so close.
Jesus tells him how he can get what he’s asking for: “Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
Don’t miss this. He’s calling him to become a disciple. The same call that was irresistible to the 12 he’d already chosen. But Jesus hadn’t called any of his disciples with a prerequisite like this – not even Matthew, the wealthy tax collector. So, why this one on this day? Maybe all that has made him rich, respected, and powerful is standing between him and what he needs, robbing him of his chance at obtaining the life that is truly life.
The source of the eternal life he came seeking is staring him right in the face and offering him exactly what he’s looking for. Jesus simply asks the young man to make a transfer of his trust, one that will accrue to the life he is longing for. And he misses it. He turns his back to Jesus and walks away sad, disoriented, and still possessing nothing in heaven.
All of the riches and treasures and mysteries of eternity, the fullness of God, and an open invitation to an adventure with the Messiah, beginning that very moment. This is what was on offer, but he forfeited them all as he pivoted and the crowd parted again to let him leave.
Jill Foley Turner is NCF’s director of editorial and content. She serves the marketing and communications department by leading the team that curates content for NCF’s Saturday 7 newsletter. She loves writing stories from the Bible, stories about generous people, and articles about trends and research into what is happening in the world of giving.
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