Chapter 30—The Rich Young Man
At Monterey, Michigan, October 8, 1857, I was shown in vision
that the condition of many Sabbathkeepers was like that of the young
man who came to Jesus to know what he should do to inherit eternal
life.
“And, behold, one came and said unto Him, Good Master, what
good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And He said unto
him, Why callest thou Me good? there is none good but One, that is,
God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith
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unto Him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt
not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false
witness, Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself. The young man saith unto Him, All these things
have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If
thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor,
and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me. But
when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for
he had great possessions.
“Then said Jesus unto His disciples, Verily I say unto you, That
a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again
I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a
needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When
His disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who
then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With
men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew
19:16-26
.
Jesus quoted five of the last six commandments to the young man,
also the second great commandment, on which the last six command-
ments hang. Those mentioned he thought he had kept. Jesus did not
mention the first four commandments, containing our duty to God. In
answer to the inquiry of the young man, “What lack I yet?” Jesus said
unto him: “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give
to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven.”
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