Young Men: Religious Young Men: The Rich Young Man
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The account of the Rich Young Man is a significant narrative found in the Synoptic Gospels, specifically in Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-22, and Luke 18:18-23. This account provides profound insights into the challenges and spiritual dilemmas faced by young men who are religiously inclined yet struggle with the demands of discipleship and the allure of material wealth.

Biblical Account:

In the Gospel of Matthew, the encounter begins with a young man approaching Jesus with a pressing question: "Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16). This inquiry reveals the young man's earnest desire for spiritual fulfillment and eternal security. Jesus responds by directing him to keep the commandments, listing several that pertain to moral and ethical behavior, such as not committing murder, adultery, theft, bearing false witness, honoring one's parents, and loving one's neighbor as oneself (Matthew 19:18-19).

The young man confidently asserts his adherence to these commandments, indicating his religious devotion and moral integrity. However, sensing a deeper need, Jesus challenges him further: "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" (Matthew 19:21). This directive strikes at the heart of the young man's spiritual struggle, revealing the tension between his material wealth and his pursuit of spiritual perfection.

Spiritual Implications:

The Rich Young Man's response is one of sorrow and reluctance, as he "went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth" (Matthew 19:22). This reaction underscores the difficulty of relinquishing earthly attachments in favor of heavenly treasures. The narrative highlights the spiritual peril of wealth, which can become an obstacle to wholehearted discipleship and a barrier to entering the kingdom of God.

Jesus uses this encounter to teach His disciples about the challenges of wealth, stating, "Truly, I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:23). This teaching emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing spiritual values over material possessions and the importance of a heart fully devoted to God.

Lessons for Religious Young Men:

The account of the Rich Young Man serves as a poignant reminder for religious young men of the potential conflicts between worldly success and spiritual commitment. It calls for introspection regarding one's priorities and the willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of following Christ. The narrative encourages young men to evaluate their attachments and to seek a life characterized by generosity, humility, and a focus on eternal rewards rather than temporal gains.

In conclusion, the Rich Young Man's encounter with Jesus remains a timeless lesson on the cost of discipleship and the call to a life of radical obedience and trust in God's provision.
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Matthew 19:16-22
And, behold, one came and said to him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
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Mark 10:17-22
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
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Luke 18:18-23
And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
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Library

A Young Man's Wise Choice Op Wisdom
... a lower range, both of poetry and religious feeling, than his ... or sometimes as a sty
where young men may wallow ... by His grace, we shall be rich indeed, whether ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a young mans wise choice.htm

The Church and the Young Man.
... They are suggestive to us of many rich and comforting ... prayer meeting is dropped;
the moment the young men cease to ... to speak the word of religious counsel, that ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/the church and the young.htm

Men Often Highly Esteem what God Abhors.
... All those so-called religious efforts which men make, haying ... This eloquent young
student is only the more odious to ... give you the more honor among men will make ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xxi men often highly esteem.htm

Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force must Inevitably be ...
... in the very fact of being rich, and try ... keep them in the barbarism of religious and
patriotic ... These physically vigorous young men (in these days of universal ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter viii doctrine of non-resistance.htm

The Three Elements of a Complete Life
... The Angelus is perhaps the most religious picture painted in this ... began to talk to
her, through the young lady who ... what He had done, how He loved men and what ...
/.../vii the three elements of.htm

Youth and Age, and the Command for Both
... will come to you, and if you grow up to be old men, which it is ... Dear young friends! ...
If you do become a religious man in later life, you will be laying up for ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/youth and age and the.htm

Proverbs
... aspect of the divine Providence, pleads with men, yearning to ... so rich in moral precept
and religious thought may ... to the simple, to the young man knowledge and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/proverbs.htm

The History of David
... BIBLE STORIES AND RELIGIOUS CLASSICS THE HISTORY OF DAVID. ... left side, and take one
of the young men and his ... he came, said to him: There were two men dwelling in ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of david.htm

God and Mammon.
... merely respectable, even the so-called religious and orthodox ... Choose, young men;
choose now; and make up your minds which ... If you want only to be rich, why then ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xxvi god and mammon.htm

The Acceptance of the Christian Conception of Life Will Emancipate ...
... educated or uneducated, believing or unbelieving, rich or poor ... One would have thought
that not religious or moral ... All young men of twenty-one years of age are ...
/.../tolstoy/the kingdom of god is within you/chapter ix the acceptance of.htm

Resources
What is Young Life, and what do they believe? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus tell the rich young ruler he could be saved by obeying the commandments? | GotQuestions.org

Why are so many young people falling away from the faith? | GotQuestions.org

Young: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Young Men: General Scriptures Concerning

Young Men: Religious Young Men: The Rich Young Man

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Young Men: General Scriptures Concerning
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