The Young, Rich Ruler - A Different Twist

Ever wonder "what if"? What if I had never left New Jersey? What if I hadn't gone to Club Velvet on that summer night and met Kevin? What if I hadn't been born a Tirado but a Hilton, or a Kennedy? (God knew what He was doing on that one, that's for sure!) What if my mom would have died when she gave birth to my brother? What if... I sometimes wonder "what if" with the stories from the Bible. What if Adam hadn't succumbed to Eve's desire to be like god? What if Abraham would have said, "Forget it! I ain't leavin' Ur." Or David would have thought, "Oh snap! All I have are some rocks. I'm outta here!" How about the opposite. What if Saul would have trusted God and not vexed the Holy Spirit? What if Delilah would have been like the Proverbs woman instead of the seductress? What if the young rich ruler would have sold all his possessions and followed Jesus? That's where I want to take you. I wrote this monologue two years ago and want to share it with you. It's a little long, but it gives us a glimpse into the what if's that must have plagued this poor, rich man for the rest of his life.

Man, I’m poor! I don’t have possessions; nothing of houses, cars, a bank account. The clothes I have on my back are my only possession. And some days when I see an old beggar and I don’t have any money, I give my clothes, my coat, whatever I have on me. One day I even gave away my shoes and I had yet quite a distance to walk. Someone felt sorry for me and gave me another pair. But you know what? I feel so much joy when I share with others. I not only share my material possessions. Those that receive from me don’t always go away with a coat, a pair of shoes, or a coin. They take with them the message of salvation that is also a gift from our Lord Jesus Christ. Do you know him? Jesus? He’s awesome, WOW! He changed my life totally. I had the opportunity to know him and walk with him. I learned from Him. It was the experience of a lifetime, totally transforming.

I haven’t always been poor. I was born into a prominent family. I had quite the happy childhood, full of love and opportunities. I traveled to far away places as a child. I was educated by the best professors and in the most prestigious schools. At the university, I was president of the debate club. All my professors would tell me that in the history of the institution, I was the student that had the brightest and most promising future. My dad died when I was young and left me a fortune. I missed him a lot and felt lonely at times. He was such a wise man, just, full of compassion and happiness. He challenged me to break the mold, to be a man of integrity and not to follow common traditions just to agree with the majority. He challenged me to think for myself. A few months after he died, I met a Man who reminded me so much of my dad. He was a teacher and large multitudes followed him everywhere he went. They followed Him because of the miracles He performed and because of his teachings. He challenged my thinking. He clarified doubts that I had in my heart, he illuminated my mind. And he did it in such a way that was so simple, mere stories! I went to all his lectures. When his eyes came to rest on me, it felt like He was looking into the depths of my soul. That made me feel uncomfortable, because I was a proud young man. I felt proud of my status, my wealth, my intelligence.

One day I came to him and asked him, “Professor, what good can I do to obtain eternal life?” I anticipated his response and I was ready with my next comment. I knew that he was going to mention the law. Since a child I have kept the law. But I wasn't prepared for what he was going to say. His response left me speechless. He could see the pride in my heart and wanted to yank it from its root. He told me that I had to sell all of my businesses, my houses, close out my bank account, sell my stocks, sell my beach house, yachts, everything!! And give it all to the poor. How could that be? Was he crazy? This empire that my dad with the sweat of his brow had built from the ground? How could I sell it all and give it to the poor? I got so sad. I went that night to my house and tried to sleep. But I couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned and turned and tossed. Restless. My heart and my mind were restless. I got on my knees and started praying. I wondered what my dad would have done. I thought of what my future would look like without my material possessions. Leave everything and follow Christ. Keep my fortune. Hmmmm. I prayed more and more. All of a sudden, my mind cleared up! What good would my possessions be to me if I can’t find peace? Salvation? Eternal life? When everything is said and done, what would others say of me? I was a successful man and I had lots of “things”. Or I was a man of integrity, sincere, kind, generous. I knew in my heart the decision I had to take. And you know what? It didn’t cost me a thing! In fact, I gained! It wasn't the poor who were so excited to receive my money and clothes that profited from my generosity. The one who gained was me! I was victorious! I walked with Jesus, listened to his teachings. It was with Him and in Him that I found true wealth.

And so here I am. You ask me if I have ever wondered what would have happened if I had made a different decision. Yeah, I have asked myself that question. I think I would have turned into a bitter, unhappy, unstable, desperate man, still looking for something to fill my empty heart. And you know what? I don’t envy him. I don’t envy that man with his material possessions. The man that I was. I have salvation. Salvation doesn’t have a price that I can pay. It’s free, thanks to the blood that Jesus shed on the cross for me. And you.