The Rich Man’s Dilemma – a Mark 10 Story

Once there was a wealthy man named John who lived in a luxurious mansion and enjoyed the finest things in life. He had everything he could ever want, but there was something missing. He felt an emptiness inside that he couldn’t fill with his wealth and possessions. One day, he heard about a wise man who could offer him the answers he was seeking. He decided to seek out this wise man to find out what he was missing.

One day, John went to the wise man and asked, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" The wise man replied, "You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’" John replied, "Teacher, I have kept all these since I was a boy."

The wise man looked at John and said, "One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." John’s face fell, and he went away sad because he had great wealth.

John couldn’t believe what he had just heard. He had worked so hard to accumulate his wealth, and now he was being asked to give it all away? He thought about it for days and weeks, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He was torn between his love for his wealth and his desire for eternal life.

One day, John went back to the wise man and said, "Teacher, I have done all these things since I was a boy. What else do I lack?" The wise man looked at him with compassion and said, "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." John could feel the tears welling up in his eyes as he realized that he couldn’t do it. He went away sad once again.

John realized that his wealth was standing in the way of his spiritual journey. He knew that he had to make a choice: either hold on to his wealth and continue to feel empty inside or give it away and follow the wise man. After much soul-searching, John finally made the decision to give away his wealth and follow the wise man.

In the end, John found the answers he was seeking. He found the peace and fulfillment that he had been searching for all his life. He realized that his wealth had been a burden and that true happiness could only be found in serving others and following the wise man.

"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." – Mark 10:25