A rich man talks to Jesus17Just as Jesus was starting His journey, a man ran to Him and fell on his knees before Him, saying: "Good Teacher, please tell me what I must do in order to receive eternal life."18Jesus answered him: "Why do you call Me good? No one is truly good apart from God Himself.19You know the commandments He has given: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not testify falsely, do not defraud others, honour your father and mother.'"20"Teacher, since boyhood I have kept all these commands," the man said.21Jesus looked at him with love; His heart went out to him. Gently, He said: "You lack one thing. If you go and sell everything you have and give generously to the poor, you will store up for yourself treasure in heaven. Then you will be free to come and follow Me."22The man looked crestfallen. He went away sad because he was very wealthy.23Jesus turned and said to His disciples: "It is so hard for the rich to enter God's Kingdom!"24Jesus could see this stunned them, so He repeated: "Children, this is true. It is very hard for the wealthy to enter God's Kingdom.25In fact, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter God's Kingdom!"An eternal reward26This amazed the disciples even more and they began to question among themselves: "If this is the case then who can be saved?"27Jesus looked straight at them and said: "It is impossible for any man to save himself, but it is not impossible for God; everything is possible for Him!"28"We have given up everything in order to follow You!" Peter said to Jesus.29-30He replied: "I tell you the truth, there is not a person who has left his home or brother or sisters, mother or father, his children, his land and possessions for Me and the gospel, who will not fail to receive back a hundred times as much as he has given in this life – homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, land and property. And in the age that is to come he will also enjoy eternal life.31But many, who in this life appear to have everything, will in the end have nothing; and those who have given up everything shall possess everything eternally!"
Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE TRUTH VERSION. Copyright © 2009 by Colin Urquhart. All rights reserved worldwide. (The Truth New Testament)