Success Upside Down

Jesus looked at him and loved him. . . . “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.(Mark 10:21-22)

We don’t even know his name. This rich young ruler was probably well known to the people of his time, but we have no clue what became of him. Chances are, he went on to become the richer, older ruler, playing the game of life pretty well.
His conversation with Jesus began with what seemed like a great question: “What must I do to gain eternal life?” The problem was that the rich young ruler was used to getting things done. On his own, by himself. When he wanted to get something done, he had the means, the energy, and the authority to make it happen. And we get the sense that when he asked Jesus that important question, he was ready to check another thing off his bucket list and collect another lifetime achievement award.

But Jesus redefines a successful life as one that humbly says to God, “I can’t do this on my own. I need your help.” Jesus takes success and turns it upside down. So He challenges the young man head-on. Give up your self-sufficiency. Stop depending on your own resources and abilities. Depend entirely on me.
If only he had answered Jesus differently. Then, I imagine, we’d know his name. Maybe there would have been 13 disciples instead of 12. Maybe there would have been 5 gospels instead of 4.
Instead, “he went away sad, because he had great wealth.” Doesn’t that sound ridiculous? He went away sad because he was rich? People don’t go away sad because they’re rich; they go away sad because they drive a 17 year old 3 cylinder Kia. Why would having so much make him sad?
Because he had too much to give up. He owned so much that it owned him. He was a rich young ruler, and Jesus was offering him an opportunity to be a poor young servant. But the god of success took his hand and led him away.
Humility is a consistent theme with Jesus. It was the first thing He addressed in His Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). “Poor in spirit” isn’t a reference to the size of your checking account or retirement portfolio. These words describe people who know they don’t have it all figured out, people who are humble enough to ask for help.
The rich young ruler was one right answer away from treasures he could not even imagine, but he backed away, unwilling to heed the very advice he had asked for.

DENYING TODAY
Write down your definition of success. What would have to happen for you to be successful? Remind yourself that God measures success by faithfulness, by obedience. Read Matthew 25:21, then write your own commendation from Jesus. Prayerfully consider: What will He praise you for?