📖 Biblical Definition
A wealthy young ruler approached Christ asking what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? Christ pointed to the commandments; the man claimed to have kept them all. Christ's final word probed the heart: 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. The young man went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Christ then taught: 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.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
RICH YOUNG RUL, n.
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A scriptural event; the rich young ruler who walked away from Christ.
📖 Key Scripture
Mark 10:17 — "Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"
Mark 10:21 — "Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor."
Mark 10:22 — "And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions."
Mark 10:25 — "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."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often softens Christ's teaching on wealth; the rich young ruler walked away sorrowful.
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The rich young ruler is the only inquirer in the Gospels who Christ specifically loved (Mark 10:21) and who still walked away. The reason was specific: he had great possessions and could not surrender them. Christ's diagnostic was not universal command (Christ did not tell every disciple to sell everything) but personal precision — this man's wealth was his god.
Modern Christianity often softens this passage. Surely Christ did not really mean it. Surely we can have full barns and full hearts at the same time. Mark 10:23-31 makes clear that wealth is genuinely dangerous and that the kingdom requires whole-hearted surrender. One thing thou lackest is a personal scalpel; what does Christ say to you?
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek roots below.
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G2425 — hikanos — sufficient
G4145 — plousios — rich
Usage
"Modern Christianity softens Christ's teaching on wealth; the rich young ruler walked away sorrowful."
"Christ specifically loved him and let him walk; surrender was the only entry."
"One thing thou lackest is a personal scalpel; what does Christ say to you?"