Luke 18:22
Now when Iesus heard these things, hee said vnto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: Sell all that thou hast, and distribute vnto the poore, and thou shalt haue treasure in heauen, and come, follow me. Luke 18:22 (KJV)
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him,
Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. Luke 18:22 (KJV)
In this passage Jesus is addressing a rich young ruler who comes to Him asking how he may inherit eternal life. The ruler claims he has kept the commandments since his youth, seeking assurance of salvation. Jesus acknowledges his obedience but points out that there is still one thing the ruler lacks. This is not to suggest that keeping the commandments is insufficient for salvation, but to reveal a specific area in which the ruler falls short—his attachment to wealth.
Jesus instructs the ruler to sell everything he possesses and give the proceeds to the poor. The command is not presented as a universal requirement for all believers but is tailored to confront the ruler’s love for material security. By relinquishing his possessions, the ruler would demonstrate a willingness to prioritize God and others above wealth. Such self‑sacrificial generosity would free him from the bondage of materialism, benefit the poor, and open his heart to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
Jesus concludes by promising that obedience to this command will bring treasure in heaven, an eternal spiritual wealth that far surpasses any temporal possession. The passage therefore teaches several important lessons. First, salvation is not earned by human effort or possessions but is received through faith in Christ. Second, true discipleship involves surrendering all of life to Jesus, including material assets, when they become idols.
Believers are invited to examine their own hearts for any hidden attachment to wealth or other idols. The text encourages cultivating a spirit of generosity and self‑lessness, recognizing that true treasure is found in serving God and others rather than in accumulating material goods. Ultimately, Luke 18:22 calls us to align our priorities with the values of God’s kingdom, to live with an eternal perspective, and to follow Jesus with wholehearted devotion.
