The parable of The Rich Man is a parable Jesus told that demonstrates the importance of putting Him first in your life. ​​A very rich man came to Jesus wanting to know what good thing he could do that would secure him eternal life. No one is good except God.Jesus tells the rich man that no one person is good except God and tells the rich man if he wants to have eternal life he must keep the Lord's commandments.
​Which commandment to keep? 
​The rich man asked Jesus which commandments he needed to keep  to ensure he would have eternal life and Jesus responded naming some of the commandments to  the rich man. It is interesting to note which commandments Jesus named-Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not lie, honor your father and mother and love your neighbor as yourself. If you give this a moment’s thought you would realize that if people only kept  just these commandments there would be no crime in the world.
​That is not to say there would be no sin in the world because people can sin, not only with actions but with  thoughts too. It is for this reason we must learn God’s word, fill our heads and our hearts with thoughts of Him,  and pray every day so that we have little or no room for evil thoughts that lead to evil actions. There is much more to being saved than simply following the rules, we must give up all to serve Christ.

• And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? Matt. 19:16
• 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." Matt. 19:17
• He saith 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, Matt. 19:18
• Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Matt. 19:19

Keeping the Commandments and What Else?
The young rich man assured Jesus that he did obey the commandments ever since he was a small child but he wants to know what else he needs to do. Jesus told the young rich man to give everything he had to the poor and follow Him and the young man would have treasures in Heaven. When we get saved or have been saved we have to give up the things of this world, give them to God, and let Him show us what He wants us to do.

• The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Matt. 19:20

The Rich man didn't want to give away all that he had
The young rich man heard what Jesus said and went away sad because he did not want to give away his worldly possessions. The rich man actually chose his earthly possessions above eternal life. He could not part with the material things of this world to have eternal life with Christ. What a sad choice he made because he may think he is happy with all that he has right now but when Christ returns that man will not enter the kingdom of God.

• But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Matt. 19:22

Deciding what is important in your life
People who have much material possessions are less likely to give them up than a poor person who has nothing. If the rich would help the poor there would be less poverty in the world. If they would use their money to do God’s will, less people would suffer. People talk about people suffering in far away countries but there are people suffering here in the U.S. every single day. The elderly, disabled, children, widows, going without food, utilities, housing or clothing while the rich are busy going to nice dinners, fancy places, and shopping for more material things rather than seeking out those in need, finding people and places that help people and helping them. The rich are not focusing on what God wants they focus on what they want. Jesus said if you put material things before HIM you will NOT enter the kingdom of heaven.
Easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into the kingdom of God
The rich man chose to keep his worldly riches rather than his treasures in heaven which means he was not putting the Lord first in his life. When you put the Lord first in your life, the material possessions of this world no longer are of importance. We are to give up the things of this world to follow Jesus.

• Then said Jesus unto his disciples, "Verily I say unto you. That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 19:23

• "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." Matt. 19:24

There is noone and nothing in this world that should take precedence over Jesus Christ. If the things of this world are more important to you, taking up all your thoughts and time, rather than praying, reading the bible, visiting the sick and imprisoned, taking care of others, loving each other, and going to heaven to be with Jesus, then you need to rethink your priorities if you plan to enter the kingdom of God.

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Memory Verse

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." Matt. 19:17

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