For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
James Kraft
The rich young ruler was trusting in the law to save him. He did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God.
Hebrews 13:5. And be content with such things as ye have, for He hath said, I will never leave you or forsake you.
People who are rich in good works have no need of a savior.
Matthew 7:21-23. They boast in what they did instead of what Jesus did for us. John 6:40 and John 6:29.
Romans 3:26-28. For He is the just and the justifier of them that believe in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? By the law of works? Nay, but by the law of FAITH. Therefore we conclude a man is justified by FAITH apart from the deeds of the law.
Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that Justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
When we believe on Jesus apart from works, He imputes His perfect righteousness to our account. Romans 4:6.
The thief on the cross believed on Jesus and was saved apart from any works. Romans 11:6. Romans 4:5. Faith alone in Jesus alone.
If we could be saved by works, then Jesus died in vain. Galatians 2:21. John 6:47. Acts 16:31. Faith alone. John 5:24. John 6:37. John 12:32.
Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the POWER of God unto salvation to everyone that BEIEVETH, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Jesus paid it all, not part. We cannot add what we do to what He has already done. He paid the debt of sin we owe God so we would not have to go to hell to pay for them.
Romans 6:23 For the penalty for sin is death, but the GIFT of God is ETERNAL LIFE, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus paid our sin debt in full so we can no longer be condemned. John 3:18.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. All, not some, but ALL.
So, what we need is a savior. Jesus is the only savior of the world. First John 2:2. And He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world.
Jesus paid the penalty for our sins debt so we could never be condemned again. John 3:18.
First John 5:13. These things have I written unto you that BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God, that ye may KNOW YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.
James Kraft
If you google what some of these mega church pastors are worth, it makes you wonder. Many are well over 15 million net worth.
But, Hebrews 13:5. Be content with such as ye have, for He hath said, I will never leave you or forsake you.
The bible has a lot to say about money. Whose name is on it? Give unto Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar.
We all need money. The parents are to lay up for their old age so they will not put a burden on their children. We are to pay our debts because Jesus has paid our sin debt in full. Colossians 2:13
We should not go into debt for things we do not need. The borrower becomes a slave to the lender.
Paul took no money from the churches he started or pastored. He worked as a tent maker for a living.
Paul wrote most of the books of the New Testament, but did not sell them in the nearest Christian book store.
The rich young ruler wanted to be justified by keeping the law. He had no need of a savior as he did not believe he was one.
Romans 3:23 Says we are all sinners and have come short of the glory of God. ALL, not some. So what we need is a savior. Jesus is the savior of the world, First John 2:2. and those that put their trust in Him will have eternal life. John 6:47. Those that are trusting in the law and their good works are not saved. John 3:18. Nothing we do can save a sinner which we all are.
We can only accept His free gift of eternal life by faith alone apart from any works. Romans 4:5. Romans 11:6. Romans 6:23. For the penalty for sin is death, but the GIFT of God is ETERNAL LIFE, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus paid our sin debt in full so we can never be condemned to hell again. John 3:18.
The best things in life are free. Romans 6:23 The GIFT of God is ETERNAL LIFE.. Romans 3:26-28. You cannot boast in free.