Matthew 19

Based on our theology, what is everything we need to inherit eternal life? Before we judge the rich young ruler, what details does Matthew share that show he’s a good young man? Look for those as we read Mark 10:17-22

What is good about the Rich Young Ruler? 1. He was EAGER Came running to Jesus. 2. He was HUMBLE Knelt before Jesus. 3. He showed REVERENCE Called Jesus “Good Teacher”. 4. He had SPIRITUALITY Concerned about his eternal soul. 5. He was MORALLY PURE Kept the commandments. 6. He had COURAGE Peer pressure in his social circle. He had SOCIAL RANK Rich, young, RULER 8. He was WEALTHY And recognized his spiritually poverty.

“Jesus beholding him loved him” (verse 21) “Jesus beholding him loved him” (verse 21). Why do is it important to know that Jesus loved this young man before He told him what he lacked? PRINCIPLE: Connect before you correct – D&C 121

The Rich Young Ruler What might have been going through the rich young ruler’s mind as he walked away? “That’s not fair! You don’t ask everyone else to do that!” “Why not 50%? Why does it have to be all?” “This is completely impractical! Look at all the people who depend upon me! And all the good I do!” “I’m willing to do almost anything,– but this is too hard!” Crossreferece Matthew 19:16‑‑26 with D&C 117:13 “Therefore, let him contend earnestly for the Church, saith the Lord; and when he falls he shall rise again, for his sacrifice shall be more sacred unto me than his increase.”   The journey is more important than the destination; missionaries that have zero converts are blessed as much as the ones with a lot of converts.  The Lord blesses any sacrifice.

Rich, Young Ruler “It is very often the sins of omission that keep us from spiritual wholeness because we still lack certain things. Remember the rich, righteous young man who came to Jesus asking, ‘Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?’ A customized commandment thus came for that man. It was something he needed to do, not something he needed to stop doing, that kept him from wholeness” (Elder Maxwell, “The Pathway of Discipleship” [Brigham Young University fireside, Jan. 4, 1998], 4, speeches.byu.edu). What do you do personally to ‘remember’ each day?

Mark 10:25-27 “Easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle”

“Easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle” “Some have asserted that the eye of the needle was a small door in the Jerusalem city wall, requiring a camel to be stripped of its load in order to enter. There is no evidence that such a door ever existed. Others have proposed that altering one letter in the Greek text would change the scripture to mean that a rope, not a camel, would have to pass through the eye of a needle. When Jesus Christ referred to a camel passing through the eye of a needle, it was likely an example of hyperbole to teach ‘that a rich man shall hardly [with difficulty] enter into the kingdom of heaven’. The Joseph Smith Translation adds, ‘With men that trust in riches, it is impossible; but not impossible with men who trust in God and leave all for my sake, for with such all these things are possible’ (Joseph Smith Translation, Mark 10:26 [in Mark 10:27, footnote a])” (New Testament Student Manual [Church Educational System manual, 2014], 63).

The Rich Young Ruler What is it about riches that makes it so difficult to enter the kingdom?

Adonai Heb: ‘owner’ or ‘ruler’ (originally dealt with masters who owned slaves.) That means God gets to call the shots. He gets to have the final say in decisions. His perspective is the perspective you utilize in making your choices, and in how you use your time. If you are not willing to surrender ownership over your time, thoughts, talents and treasures to Him then the flow stops. It ceases, lessens … it becomes more like a drip rather than a full force of Him fulfilling His Word in your life. Surrender to God and honor Him as Adonai and watch the heavens overflow with His plan for your life. Story of Daniel and Belshazzar (Daniel 5)

LeBron James LeBron James makes over $800,000 a game. That equals $25,000 a minute, at an average of 40 minutes per game. With $40 million in endorsements, he makes $278,100 a day, working or not.  If he sleeps 7 hours a night, he makes $92,000 every night while he sleeps.  If he goes to see a movie, it'll cost him $8.00, but he'll make $38, 550 while he's there.  If he decides to have a 5-minute egg, he'll make $918 while boiling it.  He'll make $5,710 while watching a 30 min TV show.  If he wanted to save up for a new Acura NSX ($90,000), it would take him a whole 8 hours.   He'll probably pay around $200 for a nice round of golf, but will be reimbursed $43,390 for that round.  If you were given a penny for every 10 dollars he made, you 'd be living comfortably at $85,000 a year.  He'll make about $26.60 while watching the 100 meter dash in the Olympics.  This year, he'll make more than twice as much as all U.S. past presidents for all of their terms combined. Amazing, isn't it? However, if he saves 100% of his income for the next 250 years, he'll still have less than Bill Gates has today. Game over. Nerd wins.

What would you do if you were wealthy? How many of you plan to be wealthy someday? Why?

1 Timothy - Money Read Jacob 2:18‑‑19 1 Timothy 6:10‑‑12 1 Timothy 6:17‑‑19 Six charges Paul gave wealthy Saints. What else matters story (Feb 1995 Ensign)

Grade Level Primary Motivation Secondary Motivation or Result A Love of God and fellowmen Income B Money Love of fellowmen C Love of money Indifference to clients or customers D Filthy lucre Harm to clients and customers F Crime Harm to society, wickedness

Rich, Young Ruler "The rich young ruler did not need to be taught repentance from murder nor from murderous thoughts. He did not have to be schooled in how to repent from adultery, nor from stealing, lying, defrauding, or failing to honor his mother. All these he said he had observed from his youth. . . . "The Master, with His keen discernment and the power of a Great Teacher, diagnosed the young man's case perfectly: His need and his lack were to overcome his love for worldly things. . "Every one of us, if we would reach perfection, must one time ask ourselves this question, 'What lack I yet?'" (Stand Ye in Holy Places [1974], 208‑‑10).

Using lds.org to enhance study Scripture Study Tips Relevancy in personal study Today’s Tip: Using lds.org to enhance study

Rich, Young Ruler https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl89LsS5L-s Elder Lawrence

MATTHEW 19