16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
Matthew 19:16 (New King James Version)
2006-08-03 12:08:58 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Welcome back Jim!
Well, if you look further into that verse and take it into context, you realize that the person wanted to go to heaven based on works. What Jesus showed him was that he needed to do more than just be good, what Jesus wanted was for him to give up what was most sacred to him.
Ultimately that was his money.
Does that mean we have to give up our money to the Church?
No way! But what it does mean is that Jesus wants to be first place in our priorities. By following Him, we put our focus on the right things.
I know there are some skeptics out there on this website, but when we put God first in our life, and remember that everything we have belongs to God first, he does bless us.
We become less focused on the love of money and more focused on the important/eternal things.
2006-08-03 12:18:16 · answer #1 · answered by Searcher 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Great choice. Jesus desires mercy and not sacrifice (Matthew 12:7) but the young man wouldn't even sacrifice earthly possessions, which had he done so, he would have treasure in heaven. As you can see, this is a great example of how materialistic most human beings are.
2006-08-03 12:26:47 · answer #2 · answered by WWJD: What Would Joker Do? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He who has the consciousness of reality has eternal life - that lamp which can never be extinguished. The humble peasant girl, Mary Magdalene, - to what splendor she attained! A wise man sees no satisfaction in the material world; he is not content to be one of the creatures. In the world of divine effulgence he finds eternal life and becomes aflame with the fire of the love of God, the great source of life of the immortal kingdom and his head is adorned with a crown of eternal jewels.
(Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 57)
2006-08-03 14:49:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
18"Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother,'[d] and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'[e]"
20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"
26Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
2006-08-03 12:16:36 · answer #4 · answered by MELLO26 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Likely an authentic logion ("Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good") since it tacitly denies Jesus' divinity. One good rule of thumb is that "problematic" logia, logia that would present problems for the faith the church was trying to present, are most likely authentic, and are preserved because the tradition was too strong for the redactors to think they could get away with suppressing them.
More evidence that Jesus did not believe himself to be, nor claim to be, God.
2006-08-03 14:50:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I counter with:
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14: 6
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.
2006-08-03 12:17:03 · answer #6 · answered by Kansas 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a teaching about the foolishness of amassing wealth in a very temporary world.
Considering the state of our economy today, it would seem a more foolish endeavor than ever!
2006-08-03 12:16:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Follow all commandments and then give up your worldly goods and follow Christ. Mark 10:21 says "... one thing you lack; go and sell all you possess, and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
2006-08-03 12:20:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don.t know the Biblical answer(but you have made me decide to look it up!)however, my answer would be to treat other living beings with kindness and compassion, and do with your life what you are best at doing, with grace and humility, not arrogance and cruelty.
2006-08-03 12:18:37 · answer #9 · answered by Juliette 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thats a good scripture that shows us that Jesus is God , Praise The Name Of JESUS ,
2006-08-03 12:15:53 · answer #10 · answered by Terry S 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋