One Thing You Lack — The Story of the Rich Young Man (Mark 10:17-30)
Have you ever felt like you were doing all the right things, but something still felt missing? That’s exactly what happened to a man who came running to Jesus one day. His story is found in Mark 10:17–30, and it teaches us something powerful about following Jesus with our whole hearts.
A Good Question
The story begins with a man running up to Jesus and asking a big question:
“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17)
This man was rich, young, and respectful. He genuinely wanted to know how to live forever with God. Jesus started by reminding him of some of the Ten Commandments — things like not stealing, lying, or hurting others.
The young man said, “I’ve kept all these since I was a boy.” That’s pretty impressive! But Jesus saw deeper.
One Thing You Lack
Jesus looked at the man with love and said something surprising:
“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.” (Mark 10:21)
Wow. That was a hard thing to hear. Jesus wasn’t just giving him another rule — He was inviting him to let go of what was holding him back and follow Him completely.
Sadly, the man walked away disappointed. He had a lot of money, and he just couldn’t let it go.
What Was the Real Problem?
Jesus didn’t say that having money is a sin. But in this man’s case, his wealth was standing between him and God. He followed the rules, but he loved his possessions more than he loved God.
Jesus then turned to His disciples and said something that shocked them:
“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)
That sounded impossible! But Jesus quickly added:
“With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27)
In other words, only God’s power and grace can truly save us—not our money, our good deeds, or our reputation.
Peter Speaks Up
Peter, one of Jesus’ closest followers, reminded Jesus, “We’ve left everything to follow you!” And Jesus reassured them:
“No one who has left home or family or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age… and in the age to come, eternal life.” (Mark 10:29–30)
Jesus was saying: Whatever you give up for Me, I will more than make up for it.
What This Means for Us
This story challenges all of us to look at our hearts:
- Are we holding on to anything more tightly than we’re holding on to Jesus?
- Are we just following the rules, or are we truly following Him?
- Are we willing to trust God with everything — even the things we love most?
Following Jesus might mean giving up some things — comfort, control, or even relationships — but He promises that what we gain in return is far greater.
Final Thoughts
The rich young man came looking for eternal life but walked away sad because he couldn’t let go of his stuff. Let’s not make the same mistake. Jesus still calls people today with the same invitation:
“Come, follow Me.”
It might cost you something — but in Jesus, you gain everything.
Mark 10:17-31 (WEB)
10:17 As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God. 19 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.’ ”20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.”21 Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.”22 But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions.23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!”24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”26 They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, “Then who can be saved?”27 Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.”28 Peter began to tell him, “Behold, we have left all and have followed you.”29 Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News, 30 but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time: houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”