The Cost of Discipleship: Jesus Must Be Our Complete Treasure (Matt. 19:16-30)

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The Cost of Discipleship: Jesus Must Be Our Complete Treasure (Matt. 19:16-30)

Prepared and preached by Pastor Steve Rhodes on Sunday, August 16, 2026

Joke-

A husband sitting alone in the kitchen on their anniversary tells his touched wife how he remembers the day her father caught them in a car and gave him a choice: marry her or spend 20 years in prison. Wiping a tear, he sighs, “I would have gotten out today!”

What do we desire?

What do we crave?

This message is not so much about money as where our treasure is.

What is most important?

Jesus changes us- He is our treasure.

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy Lord of the Rings… something very odd happens at the end. The heroes are very carefully marked out as very, very pedestrian, ordinary, normal kinds of persons, but the essence of the story of the book is these two heroes go off with and ally themselves with a high, noble, angelic-like race of beings. With the help of those beings, they fight and get glory and honor in many battles and ordeals and adventures.

In triumph, they return back to their homeland, which they love and for whose freedom they fought, for whose protection they fought, but they discover they have been changed. Something has changed. They find they still love their land, and they fought to win their land, they fought to protect their land, but they realize now they don’t belong. You see these high angelic beings they made alliances with had come from a high, immortal paradise kind of land far beyond the Western Seas.

Now our heroes return to their homeland, which they love so much, and they find the life force of that high, immortal land beyond the Western Seas has entered into them. Here’s the paradox of it. When they come back, they realize the new greatness of heart they have that enables them now to be leaders amongst their countrymen has also changed them so they don’t feel like they belong there.

They realize now their hearts are over the sea. They realize they’re restless now in their homeland. The paradox is there’s a new greatness that has come into their lives from that land. [this is the case for us as Christians, the more we grow in Christ, the more we don’t fit in society.] They laugh louder than other people; they laugh louder than their peers. They cry more deeply. They see further into the future, and they remember the wisdom of the past better because in a sense they have been taken out of their land. They have a perspective that is greater than the time and place of the people who have lived all their lives in that country.

They’re recognized by their peers as having a certain greatness of spirit, and they’re made into their leaders. Yet at the same time their peers and their friends can no longer understand them because now they’re very strange. They’re always walking off to the ocean, standing on the ocean, and the sound of the waves sinks deep into their hearts. They sit there for hours, and everybody says, “What’s wrong with them? Why do they get comfort? Why do they get strength from doing something like that?”

In other words, they love their homeland, but now their relationship to their homeland has become complex. The citizenship of their hearts, the rootedness of their soul, no longer is there; it’s over the sea. They live great lives in their homeland, and they become great leaders. In a sense their relationship with the other people they love who have not had the same experiences has been turned into something very complex.[1]

A few months ago, I read this from John Piper:

Fifty-five years ago this month, I was sitting in a seminary commencement service like this one, ready to receive my degree. One of my professors was giving the address. The title of his message was this: “Remember the Rich Young Man.” And to help us remember, he gave each of us a one-dollar bill. I don’t recall whether it was his suggestion or not, but I took that one-dollar bill home and said to Noël, “I want to keep this in front of me for the rest of my life.” So, she decoupaged [the art or craft of decorating objects with paper cut outs] it for me and it has been visible in my study for 55 years, wherever we have lived.

That message and that dollar bill and its presence with me for five-and-a-half decades have been a great service to me. How many thousands of times have I looked up and seen this dollar bill and heard the voice of Jesus:

John, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Don’t want to be rich! Don’t want to be rich! A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Make your life count. But not this way. Not money. Give every ounce of energy you have to spreading a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples in my name. I’ll meet every need you have. I’ll be with you. But not if you want to be rich. Remember the rich young man.[2]

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?

It means He must be our complete treasure.

Again, Jesus uses money as an example; we are using money as an example, but the bottom line is- what is our treasure? What do we crave?

My theme today is:

Jesus must be our complete treasure.

Outline adapted from the Outline Bible[3]:

  1. Context
    1. What is going on in this chapter?
    2. Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem.
    3. He explains the sanctity of marriage (Matthew 19:3-12). Then, He blesses the children (Matthew 19:13-15).
    4. Then, we have the Rich Young Ruler.
    5. Starting in the next chapter, Jesus will describe the Kingdom of Heaven.
    6. Let’s talk about discipleship.
  2. Jesus speaks concerning riches (Matthew 19:16–26): Jesus meets with a rich young ruler and is asked a question by his disciples.
    1. Jesus and the ruler (Matthew 19:16–22)
    2. Matthew 19:16 (ESV)
    3. 16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”
    4. Notice, the ruler is confused. He thinks all he has to do is perform good deeds.
    5. Greek traditions also reported aristocratic young men who wanted to study under a famous teacher but were too spoiled to carry out what the teacher demanded.[4]
    6. As Christians, is eternal life about being good?
    7. Is eternal life about earning our way to heaven?
    8. No, but the cost of our eternal life is much more than being good (John 3:16-18).
    9. Now, Jesus responds:
    10. Matthew 19:17 (ESV)
    11. 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”
    12. Notice how Jesus responds with a principle. The principle is that there is only One Who Is Good. God is the only One Who Is good.
    13. Tony Evans: In other words, to be good Jesus would have to be God. And since he is God incarnate, he has the authority to answer the man’s question.[5]
    14. Jesus instructs him to keep God’s commandments.
    15. Now, the ruler responds inquiring of which commandments he is to keep.
    16. Matthew 19:18–19 (ESV)
    17. 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
    18. Honoring your father and mother is out of order from the others. Did Jesus know the young man had not kept that one?
    19. The ruler says that he has obeyed these commandments.
    20. Matthew 19:20 (ESV)
    21. 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?”
    22. He seems very confident, doesn’t he?
    23. Jesus will now go deeper.
    24. NET: While the rich man was probably being sincere when he insisted I have wholeheartedly obeyed all these laws, he had confined his righteousness to external obedience. The rich man’s response to Jesus’ command—to give away all he had—revealed that internally he loved money more than God.[6]
    25. The Savior’s conclusion (Matthew 19:21): “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor.… Then come, follow me.”
    26. Perfect has the idea of completely whole, or mature (Matthew 5:48).
    27. Matthew 19:21 (ESV)
    28. 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
    29. Jesus tells how he can be perfect.
    30. Go and sell all he possesses…
  3. The sorrowing ruler (Matthew 19:22): He turns away with sadness, not willing to give up his wealth.
    1. Matthew 19:22 (ESV)
    2. 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
    3. The young man had great possessions. He leaves sorrowfully.
    4. Yet, Jesus doesn’t chase him down.
    5. Jesus doesn’t change the standard.
    6. Jesus doesn’t lighten the load.
  4. Jesus and the disciples (Matthew 19:23–26)
    1. Matthew 19:23 (ESV)
    2. 23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.
    3. Now, Jesus talks to the disciples.
    4. The rich young ruler has left, and Jesus addresses the disciples.
    5. Jesus teaches them that it is difficult to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
    6. Matthew 19:24 (ESV)
    7. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
    8. So, we see this allegory.
    9. A camel represented the largest animal they had at that time. The eye of a needle represented the smallest opening found in a home.
    10. What a picture. Can you imagine a camel going through the eye of a needle?
    11. If so, then that is how a rich man enters the Kingdom of Heaven.
    12. As Jesus said, we should collect “treasures in heaven,” for they cannot be destroyed, stolen, or lost (Matthew 6:20).[7]
    13. I believe Jesus used images like this to help convey the lesson.
    14. Matthew 19:25 (ESV)
    15. 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
    16. Given the description Jesus gave, this makes sense.
    17. Who can be saved?
    18. Matthew 19:26 (ESV)
    19. 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
    20. Notice the description: Jesus looked at them.
    21. I think this is emphasizing that Jesus wants to make a point.
    22. Jesus is making eye contact.
    23. This is not possible without Divine intervention.
    24. For the wealthy to shift their primary allegiance to God is humanly impossible, but with God all things are possible, as evidenced by the conversions of rich men like Joseph of Arimathea (27:57) and Zacchaeus (Luke 19:9–10).[8]
    25. We need outside help to be saved.
    26. Romans 6:23 (ESV)
    27. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  5. Jesus speaks concerning rewards (Matthew 19:27–30)
    1. Peter speaks up: Matthew 19:27 (ESV)
    2. 27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”
    3. Peter seems concerned. Jesus had told the rich young ruler to sell everything he owned and follow Him.
    4. Peter says that they have left everything.
    5. Peter was a fisherman (Matthew 4:18-20). They left everything.
    6. Peter asks what they will have.
    7. The Kingdom of God reverses the kingdom of man:
    8. Matthew 19:28–30 (ESV)
    9. 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
    10. There is a lot in verse 28. What does it mean? The disciples will judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
    11. Jesus teaches a principle.
    12. This is a significant promise because it shows that the disciples were not only the foundation of the Church (Eph 2:20–22) but also the leaders of the remnant of Israel (Rm 11:1–6). Jewish believers have this unique status as members both of the Church and Israel. This promise was probably made only to the twelve as a unique group, but the N[9]T indicates that all believers will participate with Christ in His judgment of the earth (Mt 25:21; Rm 16:20; 1Co 6:2; Rv 2:26–27; 3:21).[10]
    13. In verse 29, Jesus says that Christians will inherit. It is an inheritance, not a reward.
    14. Those who have left things behind for Him will have a great reward.
    15. In verse 30, we have the line: “The first in this world will be last in eternal life.” Those last in this world will be first in eternal life.
    16. The statement in context states that God’s grace extends to those who approach God in childlike trust (vv[11]. 13–15).[12]

Tim Keller helps us:

He comes to Jesus and says, “I’ve been a good person. Is there anything I’ve left out?” Jesus says, “Yeah, one thing.” Then he says, “Sell everything you have, give it away, and then you’ll have treasures in heaven.” What he said there will make no sense to you unless you understand the principle of this text, the principle we’re getting across now. You might say, “Oh my gosh! He’s trying to say you have to sell all of your goods in order to be saved?” No, he’s not. Instead, he’s saying, “My dear young man,” whom he loved. Remember what the text says? He looked at the man and confronted him because he loved him.

He says, “My dear, you have a lot of money, and yet you have nothing. It’s all going to burn up. If you could only see that if you have me you have everything. You could have my record. You could have my forgiveness. Unless you see that my dying love is your real treasure, unless you see that, frankly, salvation and eternal life is not a matter of doing or adding one more thing to your good life but rather it’s a matter of throwing it all over and trusting wholly in me, until you see that if you have me you have everything, you cannot inherit eternal life.” Jesus is saying, “If you understood that I am eternal life, your attitude toward your money would be very different.”[13]

Piper concluded his message with this:

In that same commencement service 55 years ago, there was another professor. He had a degree from a prestigious European university. We met at his house several times. I took a couple of courses from him. When I left school, I heard later that he was beginning to invest in the stock market. He was eventually consumed with a passion for wealth. And he walked away. Today he’s not a believer. He doesn’t even believe in God, with his doctorate in theology.

What’s going to keep you on the Calvary road with Jesus — who loved you and gave himself for you — living a life of joyful simplicity, lavish generosity, heavenly-mindedness? The answer is this: God will keep you. “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). And one of the means he might use to keep you is a plaque hanging on your wall: “Remember the Rich Young Man.”[14]

  1. Timothy J. Keller, The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive (New York City: Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2013). ↑

  2. June 3, 2026

    Graduates, Remember the Rich Young Man

    To the Class of 2026

    Commencement Address | Bethlehem College and Seminary | Minneapolis; Jude 3, 2026

    https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/graduates-remember-the-rich-young-man ↑

  3. H. L. Willmington, The Outline Bible (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), Mt 19:16–30. ↑

  4. Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), Mt 19:16. ↑

  5. Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2019), 901. ↑

  6. Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Mt 19:20. ↑

  7. Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2019), 901. ↑

  8. Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 1862. ↑

  9. NT New Testament ↑

  10. Michael G. Vanlaningham, “Matthew,” in The Moody Bible Commentary, ed. Michael A. Rydelnik and Michael Vanlaningham (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2014), 1489. ↑

  11. vv. verses ↑

  12. Michael G. Vanlaningham, “Matthew,” in The Moody Bible Commentary, ed. Michael A. Rydelnik and Michael Vanlaningham (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2014), 1489. ↑

  13. Timothy J. Keller, The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive (New York City: Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2013). ↑

  14. Graduates, Remember the Rich Young Man

    To the Class of 2026

    Commencement Address | Bethlehem College and Seminary | Minneapolis; Jude 3, 2026

    https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/graduates-remember-the-rich-young-man ↑

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