A Letter To The Rich Young Ruler: A Modern-Day Parable
The Rich Young Ruler is a parable taught by Jesus Christ in the Bible. In it, we are reminded of the call to put first the kingdom of God.
This letter is a personal response to Christ’s parable. It is filled with empathy, and is written directly to the rich young ruler. Can you related to the sentiments that are shared?
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A Letter To The Rich Young Ruler
To the Rich Young Ruler:
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry for judging you when you were unwilling to “sell all thou hast and give to the poor”.
As the story goes, you went away sorrowfully, upon hearing the request, because you had great possessions:
Matthew 19: 16-23
“16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest though me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 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,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, 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.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.”
You sound like a wonderful person, Rich Young Ruler⎯faithful in keeping the commandments of God.
Perhaps you just needed some time to process the request before making a final decision.
I think I know how you may have felt, Rich Young Ruler. For I, too, have great possessions⎯one of which is a summer cottage in Babylon.
My Summer Cottage
My summer cottage is filled with many hard-earned possessions and cherished memories.
It is a beautiful place where I enjoy spending my summer months.
The location isn’t the best, but if I keep the windows shut and the blinds closed I’m hardly aware of the filth and depravity that surround me.
Occasionally, I’ll wander out of my cottage to meet up with friends and do a little window-shopping in town. There are always so many tempting and alluring things to observe⎯the worldly books, magazines, fashion, and so much more.
I never indulge in anything⎯well, almost never⎯but I figure it’s okay since I’m only here during the summer months.
Besides, it feels good to fit in with the crowd on occasion. After all, isn’t tolerance a form of loving your neighbor as yourself?
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Justification
As you can see, Young Rich Ruler, I love my cottage, which is why when I heard Neal A. Maxwell say, “Let us once and for all establish our residence in Zion and give up our summer cottage in Babylon”, I felt myself cower a bit.
“What do you mean ‘give up my cottage’?” I thought to myself.
I had worked hard to obtain my cottage and make it beautiful.
It is filled with countless treasures, family traditions, and cherished memories.
I dedicate nine months out of the year to supporting myself and building the kingdom of God; I need a place to relax during the summer months.
(pause)
“Ok, how about this,” I reason with earnestness. “What if I spend less time at the cottage⎯two months instead of three?”
“I’ll try to be a better person when I’m there!”
“I’ll serve others…I’ll be a missionary!”
“I will be a light shining in their darkness!”
“I’ll refuse to be tempted by sin.”
“I’ll stay in my cottage and never leave…?”
(pause)
“My friends there need me.”
“I need them.”
(pause)
Every possible justification enters my mind.
Before I realize it, I find myself walking away…sorrowfully.
Recommendation: Understanding the Parables of Jesus Christ
Do you know, understand, and appreciate the parables of Jesus Christ found in the Bible? This book can help.
Conclusion
Rich Young Ruler, it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if you ultimately decided to sell all that thou hast and give it to the poor, just as I hope to one day give up my summer cottage in Babylon.
But I understand it’s a process.
Allowing ourselves to die to the things of the world is a process⎯at times, a slow and painful one.
I can genuinely understand why it was difficult for you to desire to sell all that thou hast.
In my mind’s eye, I envision myself, as clear as day, walking up to you in your sorrowful state, putting my arm around your shoulder, and saying, as I look longingly at my summer cottage,
“I feel for you, Brother. I feel for you.”
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:19-21
Quotes about Leaving Babylon
Materialism
“We might ask ourselves, living as many of us do in societies that worship possessions and pleasures, whether we are remaining aloof from covetousness and the lust to acquire more and more of this world’s goods. Materialism is just one more manifestation of the idolatry and pride that characterize Babylon. Perhaps we can learn to be content with what is sufficient for our needs.
The Apostle Paul warned Timothy against people who suppose “that gain is godliness” (1 Timothy 6:5).
Said he, “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:7–8).”
D. Todd Christofferson, “Come To Zion”, October 2008
“The Savior taught clearly the proper value of worldly possessions in his conversation with the rich young ruler who asked what more was required to have eternal life; he had kept all the commandments from his youth. He asked the Master what he still lacked. Jesus told him to sell all that he had and give to the poor, and come and follow Him. But the man went away sorrowing, for he loved his possessions. (See Matt. 19:16–22) How many of us would pass this test?”
Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Straight and Narrow Way”
Be Different
“…we need not look like the world. We need not entertain like the world. Our personal habits should be different. Our recreation should be different.”
Robert D. Hales, “Gifts of the Spirit,” Ensign, Feb. 2002, 17.
“Some, I fear, are attempting to … “serve the Lord without offending the devil.”
The Savior taught: “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
How do we lose our savor? One way is when we stop being different from the world. Many in the Church are drifting in the direction of the world and looking and becoming more and more like the world. We must stop drifting.”
Larry W. Gibbons, “Wherefore, Settle This In Your Hearts”, October 2006
Priorities
“…stay on the straight and narrow path. No, stay in the middle of the straight and narrow path. Don’t drift; don’t wander; don’t dabble; be careful.
Remember, do not flirt with evil. Stay out of the devil’s territory. Do not give Satan any home-field advantage. Living the commandments will bring you the happiness that too many look for in other places.”
Larry W. Gibbons, “Wherefore, Settle This In Your Hearts”, October 2006
“We can have eternal life if we want it, but only if there is nothing else we want more.”
Bruce C. Hafen, “The Atonement: All For All”
“We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object.”
“In our families and in our stakes and districts, let us seek to build up Zion…”
D. Todd Christofferson, “Come To Zion”, October 2008
