Question about the Rich Man Passage

[Sirach2]

Hello, I’ve been struggling with this passage from the Bible Matthew 19:21 where the rich man is told to sell all of his possession give the money to the poor, and to go and follow Jesus in order to enter the Kingdom of God. This passage and His commandment seem clear and literal to me, so why do many people seem to treat it otherwise? Don’t we literally need to give up and sell everything that we have, give the money to the poor, and go and follow Jesus or we will end up like the rich man did? Didn’t Jesus say not to worry about what you will eat or what you will wear but to seek first the Kingdom of God?

It is good to read this passage more closely. I prefer Mark’s gospel (Chapter 10) which gives important details. You will notice in verse 21 that “Jesus loved him.” So riches was not the greatest hindrance.

"Thou knowest the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, bear not false witness, do no fraud, honor thy father and mother. But he answering, said to him: Master, all these things I have observed from my youth. "

[21] And Jesus looking on him, loved him, and said to him: One thing is wanting unto thee: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. [22] Who being struck sad at that saying, went away sorrowful.

Did you notice that the young man did not mention the all-important first three commandments? Fulfilling his love of neighbor (4-10 commandments),* without* love of God, is “wanting to thee.” More than attention to his riches, Jesus is asking him to “Come and follow Me.” Love God with your whole heart, soul, mind and strength, and surrender the attachment of riches that prevents him from doing that.

In itself, riches are no hindrance, so I do not believe Jesus was commanding him to become poor - rather, become poor in spirit and follow Christ.

 

[BobCatholic]

Did you notice that the young man did not mention the all-important first three commandments?

That was Christ speaking. Not the rich young ruler. Are you saying Christ does not expect us to follow the first three commandments (using your way of interpreting scripture)? I doubt that was your intention.

In addition, before the rich young ruler could even follow Christ, he was told to give up the dinero. You got cash, no Christ buddy. So it was made a requirement for this rich young ruler to drop the dinero as a prerequisite.

 

[Sirach2]

That was Christ speaking. Not the rich young ruler. Are you saying Christ does not expect us to follow the first three commandments (using your way of interpreting scripture)? I doubt that was your intention.

You did not read my post correctly.

In addition, before the rich young ruler could even follow Christ, he was told to give up the dinero. You got cash, no Christ buddy. So it was made a requirement for this rich young ruler to drop the dinero as a prerequisite.

Are you aware that scripture often records the fact that Jesus “knows their thoughts?”
He mentioned the commandments that the man was following, but he did not mention the first three - I’m believing it was because the man was not following them, and Jesus knew it. Similar to the time Jesus told the woman at the well, you have had 5 husbands …

Which are the two great commandments? Love God, and then love thy neighbor as thyself. Keeping only the latter seven are not following the TWO great commandments, wouldn’t you agree? Isn’t it our love that God desires first and foremost?

If the rich man was only keeping the latter 7 commandments as a result of being overly attached to his riches, then that would be an obstacle and an attachment that prevented him from perfectly loving and following God. If he was “poor in spirit” even though being rich, that is not an impediment. Many of our saints were wealthy, and used their money for worthy purposes. I would hope you don’t view this scripture as a command for all of us to give up our wealth. Clearly, Jesus saw much more in this man’s heart, and issued the directive to give up the attachment to riches, and then “come and follow Me.”

 

[BobCatholic]

Are you aware that scripture often records the fact that Jesus “knows their thoughts?”

Yes, he does know their thoughts.

Does this mean that we knew the rich man’s thoughts? I’m not claiming to have psychic powers.

He mentioned the commandments that the man was following, but he did not mention the first three - I’m believing it was because the man was not following them, and Jesus knew it. Similar to the time Jesus told the woman at the well, you have had 5 husbands …

.

Interesting supposition, so that pattern holds true, let’s analyze the verse…

17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth.” 2

So, to inherit eternal life, using your interpretation, we keep only those commandments Christ mentioned, and the first three are optional.

Perhaps the rich young man was not a Jew, and thus Jesus was outlining the Noahide laws that apply to Gentiles? I think that makes more sense than the idea that Christ omitted the first three commandments in his list on purpose. I am of the opinion Christ did the shorthand of the 10 commandments, since the Rich Young Ruler clearly believed in God and followed the first three (otherwise, why would he ask, his question makes no sense if he is an atheist)

Which are the two great commandments? Love God, and then love thy neighbor as thyself. Keeping only the latter seven are not following the TWO great commandments, wouldn’t you agree? Isn’t it our love that God desires first and foremost?

Yes.

And if Christ didn’t mention them as requisites for eternal life in this verse using your interpretation thus they are optional

Of course, I don’t believe this. The Top 10 are required.

I would hope you don’t view this scripture as a command for all of us to give up our wealth.

It is. Jesus hates money. That’s why the great saints are monks, nuns and clergy, who gave up everything to follow Christ - everything including money, because they took a vow of poverty.

There’s a reason the rich young ruler was REQUIRED to give up all his money BEFORE EVEN being allowed to follow Christ. Jesus hates money. He believes there is no honest way to obtain money.

When one is not allowed to even FOLLOW Christ, that means Christ had already rejected him, despite loving him.

 

[Sirach2]

Yes, he does know their thoughts.

So, to inherit eternal life, using your interpretation, we keep only those commandments Christ mentioned, and the first three are optional.

And if Christ didn’t mention them as requisites for eternal life in this verse using your interpretation thus they are optional

Of course, I don’t believe this. The Top 10 are required.

I don’t know how you are interpreting this from my post. The first 3 are NOT optional but it appears the man was not keeping them, or else Jesus would have named the entire ten in his reply to him. As it was, He only named seven, which indicated to me that the man was not keeping the first three.

It is. Jesus hates money.

There’s a reason the rich young ruler was REQUIRED to give up all his money BEFORE EVEN being allowed to follow Christ. Jesus hates money. He believes there is no honest way to obtain money.

I totally disagree with you, but I will not debate the point since your mind is clearly made up.