The Two Shall Be One
As the old saying goes, he had everything going for him—a winning personality. Who was he? What was he like?
“This young man’s tastes and desires were not offensive, but favorable to the growth of spirituality. As he saw Jesus blessing the little children, he was convinced that this must be a good man. He was sure that he could live in perfect harmony with Him. Hastening to the Saviour, he knelt before Him.”1
Was he a worldly-minded apostate or hardened heathen? Not at all. . . . We read that “he had been flattered for his amiable traits of character. He was willing to do good things.”2
Perhaps you know someone like this. A “good” person. Perhaps you are such a one. Perhaps I am. Yet into what fatal deception had this individual fallen?
“He flattered himself that by his integrity in dealing with his fellowmen he was fulfilling the law. The perfection of character he thought he possessed, ranked him in the same state spiritually as was Paul when, touching the letter of the law, he thought himself blameless.”3
Human standards of measuring what constitutes a good person are pitifully deceiving. We may even try to sandwich a few Bible verses into the equation, but the computation will still be inaccurate.
The individual’s story is found in Matthew chapter 19. Let us read the whole passage about this earnest, successful, young man who hurriedly ran toward Jesus.
“Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And [Jesus] said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. . . . The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” (Matthew 19:16, 17, 20, 21, emphasis supplied).
In your conscience, has a still, small voice been reminding you lately of Christ’s appeal to the rich young ruler?
Perhaps this is a Bible story that always used to apply to someone else—not necessarily in a direct way to you or to me. After all, most of us are not really all that rich. And we’re not usually rulers. And we already follow Christ, of course. We’ve done it for years, even from our youth.
But please remember—the 144,000 follow the Lamb “whithersoever he goeth” (Revelation 14:4), not just part way. Sanctification is a progressive work. What if He is now taking you into uncharted waters? Are you still going to follow? Or are you going to say “thus far and no further. I’ve had enough”?
As more and more prophecies are fulfilling, now may be an appropriate time to think about some things in a different way than we ever have needed to before. The reality is that the closer we get to the end of time, the more closely the call to the rich young ruler will apply to an increasing number of believers.
The servant of the Lord writes:
“The Lord has shown me repeatedly that it is contrary to the Bible to make any provision for our temporal wants in the time of trouble. I saw that if the saints had food laid up by them or in the field in the time of trouble, when sword, famine, and pestilence are in the land, it would be taken from them by violent hands and strangers would reap their fields. Then will be the time for us to trust wholly in God, and He will sustain us. I saw that our bread and water will be sure at that time, and that we shall not lack or suffer hunger; for God is able to spread a table for us in the wilderness. If necessary He would send ravens to feed us, as He did to feed Elijah, or rain manna from heaven, as He did for the Israelites.
“Houses and lands will be of no use to the saints in the time of trouble, for they will then have to flee before infuriated mobs, and at that time their possessions cannot be disposed of to advance the cause of present truth. I was shown that it is the will of God that the saints should cut loose from every encumbrance before the time of trouble comes, and make a covenant with God through sacrifice. If they have their property on the altar and earnestly inquire of God for duty, He will teach them when to dispose of these things. Then they will be free in the time of trouble and have no clogs to weigh them down.
“I saw that if any held on to their property and did not inquire of the Lord as to their duty, He would not make duty known, and they would be permitted to keep their property, and in the time of trouble it would come up before them like a mountain to crush them, and they would try to dispose of it, but would not be able. I heard some mourn like this: The cause was languishing, God’s people were starving for the truth, and we made no effort to supply the lack; now our property is useless. Oh, that we had let it go, and laid up treasure in heaven!’ I saw that a sacrifice did not increase, but it decreased and was consumed. I also saw that God had not required all of His people to dispose of their property at the same time; but if they desired to be taught, He would teach them, in a time of need, when to sell and how much to sell. Some have been required to dispose of their property in times past to sustain the Advent cause, while others have been permitted to keep theirs until a time of need. Then, as the cause needs it, their duty is to sell.”4
To those who currently sense this particular call from heaven, the Lord has given three steps:
1. Sell.
2. Give to the poor. (DON’T BE STUBBORN AND INSISTENT UPON GETTING ABSOLUTE “TOP DOLLAR”—THE MAXIMUM PRICE—FOR YOUR SALE!! REMEMBER, YOU’RE GOING TO BE GIVING OF THE PROCEEDS ANYWAY!!!) Do not insist so strongly upon basing your selling price on the neighbor’s. Base it on however God impresses you, even if it is less. Base it on the fact that you’re going to be giving more away, not aiming to become more increased with goods. How much time is lost to the cause of God by selfishly waiting to achieve the absolutely greatest maximum returns on investments. Then—surprise—the market drops substantially and we actually end up losing more by overambition.
3. THEN come and follow Christ.
Why was it difficult for the rich young ruler? Why did he feel sorrowful at Christ’s amazing command? It was because he had great possessions; he had become rich. The riches had become cumbersome. Probably they were even causing him stress. Yet he still did not want to part with them simply because they were so plentiful. They had become a habit. They had become part of him. They had become an intrinsic aspect of his identity and sense of pride. They were symbolic of his accomplishment. They were tangible proof that he had been successful. If he were to sell them, surely he would expect that at least it would be in exchange for something that would be another good investment. He was stacking up for the future—that may have been his method of becoming rich in the first place. After all, why not continue in the same successful pattern? Many Christians would feel that their practice of smart investing has been indicative of good stewardship. It would certainly appear to be so from reading the parable of the talents.
But there is more than one way to be a good steward. Good stewardship is not limited merely to something delivered back in the same typical package. Good stewardship involves first of all our heart, our attitude. The first step to sound stewardship is a humble realization that what we think we own is not ours anyway. Then we handle these matters with godly fear because it all belongs to the Master, who has other children whom He loves besides just ourselves and our families. And when the Master says, “SELL THAT THOU HAST, AND GIVE TO THE POOR,” good stewardship means to do exactly that. Sometimes “the poor” may partly include the one to whom you are selling the item! Then you cannot get top dollar without defrauding your Master and going against His will!
“Some of the Sabbathkeepers who say to the world that they are looking for Jesus’ coming, and that they believe we are having the last message of mercy, give way to their natural feelings, and barter, and trade, and are a proverb among unbelievers for their keenness in trade, for being sharp, and always getting the best end of a bargain. Such would better lose a little and exert a better influence in the world, and a happier influence among brethren and show that this world is not their god.”5
The rich ruler was young. Surely he needed the proceeds of all these things to prepare for the future. He was not an old man freely giving away his stuff just before dying, when he would not need it anyway. Since he was young, his possessions might still come in handy for years to come. Maybe a famine could arise in the future, and he would need something with which to bargain in order to avoid starvation. Plus, he was also a ruler. He had power and influence. Without his riches, it also could be likely that he’d lose some prestige among his peers. In view of all these factors, how would you respond in such a situation? How would I?
The Bible tells us how the young man responded:
“When the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:22).
He went away sorrowful! How strange! It was odd for a person to leave the presence of Jesus sorrowfully. Most went away beaming with tremendous delight over newfound health or great spiritual fulfillment. Even children left with joy overflowing in their hearts. To pay a visit to Christ was a wonderfully rewarding experience. Yet this man went away sorrowful. How tragic!
Typical worldly concerns, we might say. We tend to judge that man rather harshly. Surely we would never be afflicted with such ambition—or would we? What about the disciples—were they immune to such concerns? Let’s see what thoughts this incident triggered even in the mind of devoted Peter:
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” (Matthew 19:23–27).
Peter is thinking, “by the way, we’re following You, Lord, but what’s in this for us?” Perhaps he was afraid or reluctant to ask this question before. After all, it seems a rather self-centered, unattractive thing to ask openly. But it’s evidently something that Peter had been wondering about. . . . Now is his big chance to ask a question that has secretly been troubling him. What will be Christ’s answer?
“Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” (Matthew 19:28, 29).
Sitting upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. . . . Likely to be during the millennium, for sure. But when it says Israel—not the Gentile world—it shows something special. A unique calling. These people are those who have really sacrificed a lot. They have forsaken houses and lands—symbolic of solid wealth. They did not sell something only to reinvest in something bigger. They GAVE. They FORSOOK their possessions and their dearest earthly ties in order to follow the bleeding Lamb of God, the Man of sorrows acquainted with grief.
Why did the rich young man have to sell before giving to the poor? Why couldn’t he just give what he had directly to the poor? Perhaps what he had was not what they really needed. Likewise, perhaps many of the things we have are not what the worthy poor really need. Such items might be sold and the proceeds given instead.
“When Jesus presented to the rich young ruler the condition of discipleship, Judas was displeased. He thought that a mistake had been made. If such men as this ruler could be connected with the believers, they would help sustain Christ’s cause. If Judas were only received as a counselor, he thought, he could suggest many plans for the advantage of the little church. His principles and methods would differ somewhat from Christ’s, but in these things he thought himself wiser than Christ.“6
Remember: When Jesus spells out a certain step-by-step pattern to follow, do not presume to try to improve on the idea as Judas thought to do.
“How many have come to Christ, ready to cast their interests in with His, and, like the rich young ruler, earnestly desiring to inherit eternal life! But when the cost is presented to them—when they are told that they must forsake all, houses and lands, wife and children, and count not their lives dear unto themselves—they go away sorrowful.”7
To those who are feeling cumbered about by the things of this world: Remember again the step-by-step process outlined by Jesus: 1. Sell. (Get rid of stuff.) 2. Give. (Be willing to sacrifice of those proceeds for the good of others.) 3. Come and follow Jesus. (You’ll then be free to discern His leading without being dragged down and confused by all the things that have been getting in your way.)
To attempt to carry out this process by mixing up the order of steps will not work. If Abraham had gone a different direction first instead of where God led, he would have gotten lost. Being lost at this point in earth’s history can have very dangerous consequences. Due to the nearness of the close of probation and Christ’s return, we may not now have the luxury of time to retrace our steps too many times. Therefore do not try to improvise on God’s plan. Stick to the narrow way. Follow the GPS—God’s Plan of Salvation, God’s Positioning System, God’s Preparation to Sacrifice.
“A great work needs to be done in our churches. The members are not prepared for the coming of the Lord. God’s law needs to be written in mind and heart. Many, like the rich young ruler, when tested and tried, will refuse to deny self, to take up the cross and follow Christ. . . .
“Better, far better, to have shattered hopes and the world’s denunciation with the approval of God, than to sit with princes and forfeit heaven. ‘Ye cannot serve God and mammon,’ Christ declares.”8
Abraham went out, not knowing where he was to go. God did not make the whole pathway clear. He simply told him what to do step by step. (See Genesis 12:1.)
Gideon wisely chose to destroy his father’s idols BEFORE he dared to go out to battle. There is a lesson in this for us when we want to advance for God. (Judges 6:15, 25–31.)
The widow of Zarephath gave her only food to the man of God FIRST and was spared from starvation. (1 Kings 17:12–16).
Today, we like to have every roadmap and destination clear. In the current Information Age, we insist on having everything spelled out. But perhaps there is a reason why God did not provide modern computerized technology to Abraham on his spiritual journey. He wanted the patriarch simply to trust Him step by step.
The Lord bids us, “Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Luke 12:29–31).
“Laying aside His royal robe and kingly crown, [Christ our great example] stepped down from His high command in the heavenly courts, and, clothing His divinity with humanity, came to this world to help human beings to rid themselves of selfish practices, and to give themselves to the service of God in helping others.
“The healing of diseased souls and diseased bodies—this was Christ’s work in our world, and it is our work also. His words to the rich young ruler, ‘Sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven,’are spoken to all who possess this world’s goods. If they will follow Christ’s example, using their entrusted possessions to relieve the physical and spiritual necessities of those less fortunate than themselves, they will secure the enduring riches of eternal life. . . .
“Self-surrender is the keynote of the teachings of Christ. Often it is presented and enjoined in language that seems authoritative, because God sees that there is no other way to save man than to cut away from his life that which, if entertained, would demoralize the whole being.
“The work of evangelizing the world has been greatly hindered by personal selfishness. . . . Money is needed in order that the work waiting to be done all over our world may be carried forward. If Christ’s words were obeyed, there would be thousands where there are hundreds willing to carry out His directions to the ruler.”9
“The young ruler represents many in our world today. God has entrusted His goods to them, that they may advance His kingdom by planting the standard of truth in places where the message has never been heard. But they do not carry out God’s purpose. The words, ‘Deny thyself, take up thy cross, and follow me,’ cut directly across their cherished plans, and they refuse to obey.’ ”10
Let us then tear out of our heart every fiber of selfishness. Why go away from the presence of Christ sorrowful? The future is coming quickly. He has shown a better way. Listen to His still, small voice, and see if Christ‘s famous appeal to the young man somehow applies with greater force now than ever before.