17. . V . Over-focus . . . on material security

18:18-25

Certain ruler

"all things sell & follow me"

18:18-25 A certain ruler questioned him saying "Good teacher what should I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him "Why do you say that I am good? Nobody is good except the one God. You know the commandments. "Do not commit adultery. Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Honour your father and mother." And he (the other) said "I have kept all these things from my youth. But on hearing this Jesus said to him. "One thing is still lacking to you. Sell

everything that you have and distribute this to poor people. Then you will have treasure in the heavens. Then come and follow me." But he on hearing these things became very grieved, for he was exceedingly rich. Seeing him like this Jesus said "How hard it is for those who have property to enter into the kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

This incident is repeated elsewhere in the gospels. In one place the one asking the question is 'a certain man'. Elsewhere he is called a young man. In this case he is a ruler, which obviously puts him out of the 'child' category in the ordinary sense of the word. Jesus has just been talking about the need to be child- like. Here he infers that it is very difficult for a rich person or a ruler, to be child- like. Why so? Recall that the kingdom of God' (c/f Reality Search) is a delicate balance between two differing types of society. If one is rich then one is being pulled towards the law type of society with its adherence to natural rights such as ownership. On the other hand if a person is a ruler then they are pulled towards an 'order' type of society c/f the role of rulers to maintain order. In the case of someone who is both, it is extra difficult for them to make a balance. Even in our own society rich people do not necessarily make objective and honest politicians because of their vested interests. The electorate is suspicious of them. On the other hand people such as rulers can let power go to their heads and so they over ride the ownership etc rights of others. Luke has a special interest in such rulers as shown throughout his gospel and especially in his Section D. However also note that Luke is gradually moving towards dealing with problems with both types of societies rather than dealing with the order, or place-based society on its own.

18. V . Total self-reliance

18:26-27

ones hearing

"things impossible .. possible with God"

18:26 -27 The ones hearing this said "(If such is the case) who can be saved?" And he said

"Things that are impossible with men are possible with God."