Jesus and The Rich Young Man

Once upon a time, in a land filled with sun-kissed hills and ancient olive trees, there lived a young man whose wealth surpassed that of the many in his town. He had everything a person could dream of—gold, silver, splendid clothes, and a house that stood tall and grand.

Yet, deep inside his heart, there was a whisper—a gentle voice that longed for something more, something that riches could not buy—eternal happiness.

This is the story of an encounter between this young man and a man of wisdom and kindness, Jesus of Nazareth. “Jesus and The Rich Young Man” is not just a tale from the Bible; it’s a lesson about what truly matters in life.

Jesus and The Rich Young Man

Gather 'round, little ones. Sit comfortably and listen closely, as I share with you this treasured parable as found in the Scriptures, Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-22, and Luke 18:18-23. A story about choices, treasures, and the path to true joy.

Before we continue with our story, let’s make it even more exciting! How about every time you hear something about 'treasure', you pretend to hold a shiny gold coin up in the air? And when you hear about 'choices', point to your heart because that’s where important decisions are made. Are you ready? Let's begin our journey with Jesus and the rich young man!

A Question of Great Importance

One sunny day, as Jesus was traveling with his disciples through cities and villages, teaching and sharing the good news, a rich young man approached him. This young man was earnest and sincere, carrying a question of great importance that weighed heavily on his heart.

"Good teacher," he asked, kneeling respectfully before Jesus, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" His eyes were wide with hope, eagerly seeking an answer from the wise teacher everyone had been talking about.

Jesus, looking at him with love and understanding, replied, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'" (Luke 18:19-20)

The young man's face brightened with a confident smile, "Teacher, I have kept all these since I was a boy," he declared, hoping his faithful obedience was enough.

A Greater Calling

Jesus, seeing the desire in the young man's heart for something more profound than what he already possessed, issued a gentle but challenging invitation.

"If you want to be perfect, go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Matthew 19:21)

This was the unique thing the young man needed to hear—an invitation to join Jesus on a journey of selfless love and eternal impact. To make choices that would lead to lasting treasure in heaven, beyond his earthly wealth.

The Young Man's Dilemma

Hearing Jesus's words, the rich young man became very sad. He looked down at the ground, his mind racing with thoughts. He was being asked to make a choice, unlike any he had faced before.

He thought about his large, beautiful home, his chests filled with gold and silver, his neatly organized garments of the finest linen, and all the comforts his riches could buy. Leaving all this behind was a daunting thought. Could he truly find greater joy in following this man, Jesus, and helping others than in all his worldly possessions?

But the thought of eternal life—of a treasure in the heavens that would never fade, spoil, or be taken away—was also a strong pull on his heart. What was he to do? What was the most important choice to make?

The Decision and Its Aftermath

The air grew still as everyone around waited for the young man's response. He looked up at Jesus, his eyes filled with confusion and sorrow. Then, with a heavy heart, the young man turned away from Jesus, unable to part with his earthly treasures.

"He went away sad because he had great wealth." (Mark 10:22)

As the rich young man walked away, Jesus turned to his disciples to teach them another important lesson through what had just happened. He explained that it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven, but not impossible, for with God, all things are possible.

Key Takeaways

In this story, little friends, we find lessons that are like nuggets of wisdom for us to hold dearly in our hearts:

1. True Treasure: The greatest treasures are not found in money or possessions, but in loving God and others. They are treasures that don't vanish over time.
2. Making Choices: Sometimes we have to make tough choices to follow Jesus. It might mean giving up something we like to do what's right.
3. Following Jesus: Following Jesus may not always be easy, but it leads to life that is full and eternal, bursting with joy and love.
4. Helping Others: When we share what we have and help people in need, we store up treasure in heaven.

Now, wasn't that a story to stir the heart? Remember our little game about 'treasure' and 'choices'? Keep those thoughts in mind as you go about your day, making choices that lead to real treasure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Jesus say to the rich young man?

Jesus told the rich young man, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." This invite was about looking beyond earthly possessions and finding value in spiritual richness and following Jesus.

Why did the rich young man go away sad?

The rich young man went away sad because he was very attached to his possessions and could not bring himself to give them up. The thought of leaving behind his wealth was too hard for him, so he chose his material things over following Jesus.

What does it mean to have treasure in heaven?

Having treasure in heaven means accumulating things that have eternal value, like love, kindness, and a relationship with God. These are things that never go away and are far more important than any material wealth we can have on earth.

Is it wrong to have wealth according to the Bible?

No, it is not wrong to have wealth according to the Bible. However, it warns us not to let wealth become the most important thing in our lives. We should use our riches to help others and not let it stop us from following Jesus.

What are the dangers of loving money too much?

Loving money too much can lead us to make bad choices. It can make us selfish and stop us from caring about others. The Bible says that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil because it can lead people away from God and goodness.

How can we store up treasures in heaven?

We can store up treasures in heaven by loving and serving God and others. When we do things like help people in need, pray, forgive those who hurt us, and follow Jesus, we're storing up treasures in heaven that last forever.

What does the story of the rich young man teach us?

The story of the rich young man teaches us that true happiness and eternal life come from following Jesus and not from how much money or how many things we have. It reminds us to make choices that will lead to true joy and peace in our hearts.

Let's remember our game from earlier and keep looking for ways to make good choices and treasure the love and kindness we can share with others. That's the real gold, little friends—shining bright in our hearts forever!

Visit Faithful Fable for more inspiring stories and lessons:

• Explore the Parable of the Ten Virgins
• Learn about The Good Samaritan
• Discover The Prodigal Son
• And many more delightful tales!