Why did Jesus say the rich young ruler would be hindered from entering heaven because of his refusal to give alms to the poor?

[NathanH83]

Mark 10:

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I (O)do that I may inherit eternal life?”

18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, (P)God. 19 You know the commandments: (Q)‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”

20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have (R)kept from my youth.”

21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, (S)sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have (T)treasure in heaven; and come, (U)take up the cross, and follow Me.”

22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

23 (W)Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is [b]for those (X)who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a (Y)rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?”

27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not (Z)with God; for with God all things are possible.”

 

[Lanman87]

It wasn't about the money, it is about the refusal to follow Jesus.

The rich young ruler trusted in his own rightouesness and desired his money more than he trusted in Christ and desired to be with Christ.

The reason it is hard for a rich person to enter into heaven is because they don't truly seem themselves as needy. The luxuries of this life blind the to their need for forgiveness and relationship with God.

If you truly follow Jesus and He ask you to give all your money away then you do, not in order to be forgiven, but because you are following your master.

Do you think everyone must give up all their possessions and give them to the poor to inherit eternal life?

 

[Fritz Kobus]

Yes, this particular man would probably never enter Heaven if he kept his riches. It is not something that applies to all rich people in that there are rich people who are very humble and modest in how they live and very generous to help others. Those rich people, I can't imagine Jesus asking them to give up their riches.

But to bring it closer to home, aren't most of us rich? Compared to most of the world, we sure are.

 

[Bluezone777]

He wanted Jesus to tell him what his problem was and asking him to sell everything and give it all away to the poor was the most effective way of exposing his heart condition. In comparison, Abraham when asked to sacrifice his only son doesn't hesitate to do so though he never actually carries out the act. It's not the act that saves you as it is the willingness to put no thing or person between you and God that does it.

 

[Odë:hgöd]

.
Sometimes I wish there were tour buses to Hell so that folks could see what's
waiting from them down there; and maybe even stop and speak with some of the
inhabitants and ask them the dollar figure that they'd be willing to pay for a ticket
to get out of there.
_

 

[Andrew]

I believe Jesus was conveying that there is no man righteous enough to enter into Heaven by any other means but by Him. Had this man given all his money to the poor to basically 'purchase' his way into Heaven, he would STILL have to pick up his cross and follow Christ.