By: C.J. Lloyd September13, 2024

The story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16–22 provides a powerful lesson about wealth, faith, and surrender. Jesus asked him to sell his possessions and give them to people experiencing poverty. Despite his adherence to the commandments, the young man walked away sad because he had great wealth. Why did Jesus challenge him to give when he had much rather than less?

Jesus’ command was more than a call to give away possessions; it was a test of the young man’s heart. Wealth often represents more than financial security—it can become a source of identity and control. For someone with great wealth, giving it up requires a significant act of surrender and trust. The challenge wouldn’t have been as profound had the young ruler been asked to give when he had less. Jesus was calling him to let go of his deepest source of security to follow Him fully.

Great wealth equates to control over one’s life and future. Jesus knew that for the rich young ruler, wealth was not just a resource but a foundation of his life. Asking him to give it all away was about challenging his dependence on material security. It wasn’t the wealth itself that was the problem but the ruler’s attachment to it. By releasing his wealth, the young man would have had to trust God for his future, stepping out of the control his riches provided.

While Jesus challenged the ruler to give, the Bible underscores the importance of wise stewardship and investing. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30), Jesus commends those who invest and multiply their resources. Investing wisely isn’t about accumulating wealth for its own sake but enhancing our capacity to serve and give. Investing and growing our resources increases our ability to contribute to God’s work and support those in need.

One key aspect of biblical stewardship is that as we grow in wealth, we also have a greater capacity to give. The rich young ruler’s challenge highlights that giving when we have much reveals our willingness to use our resources for God’s purposes. When we are able to make more through wise investing and diligent work, we can give more effectively. This ability to provide more as we have more reflects the principle of proportional generosity.

Giving from abundance shows where our actual values lie. It’s easy to give when the amount is small, but giving a significant portion of our wealth demonstrates a heart open to God’s call. Jesus’ challenge to the rich young ruler was about breaking his attachment to his possessions and showing that true treasure lies in following Him, not in material wealth. By being willing to give more when we have more, we align our resources with God’s kingdom and reflect His generosity.

Jesus asked the rich young ruler to give when he had much because this was when the test of faith mattered most. The issue wasn’t wealth itself but the ruler’s attachment to it. Investing wisely and giving generously are crucial aspects of biblical stewardship. We can increase our capacity to deliver when we manage our resources well and grow them through prudent investments. True freedom and spiritual maturity come when we surrender our wealth to God and use it to bless others, reflecting the richness of His kingdom.