Sell All You Have... Everything

Luke 10:17-27 tells the tale of the rich young ruler. Then in verse twenty-one Jesus says this…

“Looking at him, Jesus showed love to him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But he was deeply dismayed by these words, and he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property”

The question is raised who does Jesus’ instruction apply to? Does it include all believers? Because if it does apply to all believers then all believers would be obligated to sell all of our possessions and follow Jesus. So who does it apply to?

This verse specifically only applies to the “rich young ruler” and no one else. He didn’t tell Nicodemus to do this. He didn’t tell the Samaritan woman to do this. He didn’t tell Zaccheus to do this (for instance)

Jesus gave specific instructions to specific people and the instructions often differed widely. So what can we learn from this? We can learn by studying Acts and the Epistles how they applied Jesus’ and the Apostles teaching.

Generally people who had money were generous to those who did not have much. They even sold things. There is no example of anyone selling all that they had.

We can also learn to question how we interpret the Bible and how to make applications.