The teacher of righteousness came to Jesus to enquire what he should do in addition to the law ordinances in order to gain eternal life. Than God! This man was deeply rooted in the word of God, believing in eternal life, and knowing that no man lives spontaneously forever, for the divine life is but a blessing from God. Those that are dead without having their sins forgiven are not living in fact, but are feeble-minded, and disturbed within their perishable being, but those that are blessed and established in the gospel, are bearing the life of God and his light which is lighting in them.
In his first word, Jesus broke the question of the teacher who was confident of his scientific degree, and showed him how he spoke superficially and not according to the Bible. None is good, except God. This was Jesus’ indirect question to the man, as if he asked him: "Since you call me good, do you believe that I am God?" Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and goodness made incarnate. Jesus’ answer to this ruler was an evident proof of his divinity, and his oneness with his heavenly Father.
This ruler was not aware that God himself was standing before him in Christ, and knowing himself more than he did. He was not satisfied with Christ’s confuting questions, so he remained waiting for special revelations leading him into a better way to God.
Jesus did not say to him, "Believe in me", but "Fulfill the law completely, and then you may know that you are a great sinner. You may also realize that I am your faithful Savior." In order to clarify these spiritual principles, Jesus, the eternal Lawgiver changed the succession of the Ten Commandments, and mentioned first the commandment of complete purification, to uncover the questioner’s heart that was filled with lust and sins. But he who took firm hold of the law did not know that the Ten Commandments condemned him, but claimed that he had kept those letters from his youth. It was true that he had neither touched a strange woman, nor killed anyone, nor stole anything for he was rich, nor lied willfully. But he had always honored his parents. That was why he believed he was good and perfect. Yet in spite of this belief, he felt in his innermost being that he lacked something, which was probably the very life and power of God. Jesus told him what he exactly felt: "You lack one thing, which is the most important." The wise Jesus did not say to him: "You lack the knowledge of your sins", or "You lack faith in forgiveness of sins" But he immediately showed him the golden chain with which he chained himself that is money. This rich, educated man was in need of liberation from his money chains in order that he should become poor, trust in God alone, and not build his life on a weak foundation through holding fast to his riches. In his discourse with him Jesus wanted him to understand the following points: "You love yourself, seeking eternal life for your own self, without caring about the poor, or the love of your Lord. So be cautious! For love is eternal life. The more you love, the more you help the poor and the harmless. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will become rich in love, God being your lot in Spirit.
As this rich teacher heard Jesus’ words, he resented tremblingly, and trembled resentfully, for he thought that Jesus would not hit him also on that side. He wished to have treasure in heaven in addition to his earthly treasure, and hoped to teach the word of God without becoming poor. So he neither followed Jesus, nor put his money in the heavenly bank. Consequently, he lost his earthly treasure in his death, and did not receive everlasting life in the other world, for he loved little, and did not sacrifice. Yet he who loves much lives in fact. Some are poor though they are rich, and others rich in spite of their poverty.