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And one of the rulers questioned him, saying: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit everlasting life?” Jesus said to him: “Why do you call me good? Nobody is good except one, God.  You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and your mother.’”  Then he said: “All of these I have kept from youth on.” After hearing that, Jesus said to him, “There is still one thing lacking about you: Sell all the things you have and distribute the proceeds to the poor, and you will have treasure in the heavens; and come be my follower.” When he heard this, he became deeply grieved, for he was very rich. Luke 18:18-23

What was the man required to do?
Did all disciples of Christ did this?
What is the practical application of Jesus' request?

To be continued...

Jesus taught his disciples never to store up treasures on planet earth {Matthew 6:19-21} this means those who are going to rule with Christ in heaven shouldn't be distracted by earthly things since they will leave the earth and everything in it when God's Kingdom comes.
But one thing is peculiar to Jesus' way of preaching he only focused on those that will rule with him as his corulers so whenever Jesus is talking about God's Kingdom his utterances mainly centered on those who are going to heaven since that is his primary assignment.
It's after training his corulers that they will in turn gather their earthly subjects through their preaching and teaching.
So the Bible book of Revelations 14:1 says:

Then I saw, and look! the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who have his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads.

The lamb is Jesus and the 144,000 are his corulers having God's approval as the first fruit of God's Kingdom later comes countless humans that will form a global family on planet earth! Revelations 14:6

So why do Jesus' corulers need to sell everything they own and how are they going to give it to the poor?

The rich young ruler Jesus spoke to was a Jew he knew that when the Christ comes he will teach them how to become perfect for everlasting life {Deuteronomy 18:18 compare to John 4:25} but then he wants Jesus' approval and Jesus was gathering his own corulers first so Jesus told him what he needs to do to become a member of that team:

“There is still one thing lacking about you: Sell all the things you have and distribute the proceeds to the poor, and you will have treasure in the heavens; and come be my follower.” Luke 18:23

This man needs to forsake anything that could be a distraction and sacrifice all for the use of other disciples of Christ for instance a prospective coruler with Christ must make sure that all the needs of his fellow believers are met which will cost his own time, energy and resources.

Today true Christians across the globe have abundance spiritual food and all the materials needed for their spiritual growth like Bibles, literatures and those teaching them all they need to do is make the request and they will have it without charge. These are things those going to rule with Christ have sacrificed for the benefit of their brothers and sisters in the faith.

So when the world is talking about the net worth of certain individuals corulers with Christ have only one thing:

Their global spiritual family! Matthew 12:46-50 compared to Mark 10:28-30

When disaster strikes the riches from our brothers is judiciously used to cater for our brothers in Pakistan but then we can't just do that for only JWs there God's word says we should be kind to all though our brothers in Christ comes first! Galatians 6:10
See the riches of anointed Christians in action!

You speak of the rich ruler who walked away sorrowful when told to sell his goods and follow the Master. The passage is not a law against wealth, but a mirror held up to the man’s heart. Jesus saw that his gold owned him, not the other way around. The call was personal, not a universal command for every soul to live as a beggar.

The scriptures themselves never condemn being rich. Abraham was rich in flocks and silver (Genesis 13:2) and still called righteous. Job, after his trial, was twice as wealthy as before (Job 42:10). Joseph of Arimathea, who gave his tomb for the Lord’s body, was “a rich man” and yet a disciple (Matthew 27:57). Lydia of Thyatira sold purple cloth — luxury goods — and hosted the early church in her house (Acts 16:14-15). These were not cursed for their means; their faith was measured by their deeds, not their balance.

As for Jesus himself — he was no beggar wandering in rags. He was called Rabbi, and in that time a man could not bear that title unless his family was provided for. By custom, one had to retire his parents before taking up rabbinic duty. A rabbi was a teacher, not a mendicant. When the Romans crucified him, the soldiers cast lots for his clothing (John 19:23-24). They would not gamble for tatters; his seamless tunic was valuable, woven in one piece from top to bottom — a mark of high craftsmanship and priestly dignity.

Historians and scholars estimate that a good tunic in first-century Judea cost around 12 to 25 denarii. But a seamless one such as his could fetch 30 to 50 denarii, perhaps more. A denarius was roughly a day’s wage for a laborer, so his garments alone could equal nearly two months of a working man’s pay. In modern reckoning that would be around £5,000 – £6,000 (about $7,000 USD) — a fine sum, the kind soldiers would not ignore. That tells you his possessions were not worthless scraps; he was clothed in the dignity of his office.

The Bible’s message is not that holiness demands poverty. It teaches that the love of money — not money itself — is the root of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Proverbs 10:22 says, “The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” Ecclesiastes 5:19 calls wealth a gift from God when rightly enjoyed. The danger lies in serving gold as a god, not in possessing it.

When Jesus told that ruler to sell all, he spoke to that man’s sickness. Other disciples had homes, trades, and means: Peter owned a house in Capernaum (Mark 1:29); Matthew hosted a banquet (Luke 5:29); women like Joanna and Susanna supported the ministry “out of their own means” (Luke 8:3). The early believers shared their goods to care for one another, not because poverty was holy, but because compassion was.

So the truth stands: the scriptures nowhere command believers to be poor. They command hearts to be free — to use wealth as a tool of mercy, not an idol of pride. Jesus was not destitute, nor did he scorn those who had. He warned against greed, not against gain.

That is the weight of it, friend — the sound of scripture when the dust of misreading is blown away. Wealth is neither sin nor salvation. It is only metal, waiting to see whose hand wields it well.

But hey, I’m just an atheist.

You talk too much!🙂

Fenrir:
You speak of the rich ruler who walked away sorrowful when told to sell his goods and follow the Master. The passage is not a law against wealth, but a mirror held up to the man’s heart. Jesus saw that his gold owned him, not the other way around. The call was personal, not a universal command for every soul to live as a beggar.

The scriptures themselves never condemn being rich. Abraham was rich in flocks and silver (Genesis 13:2) and still called righteous. Job, after his trial, was twice as wealthy as before (Job 42:10). Joseph of Arimathea, who gave his tomb for the Lord’s body, was “a rich man” and yet a disciple (Matthew 27:57). Lydia of Thyatira sold purple cloth — luxury goods — and hosted the early church in her house (Acts 16:14-15). These were not cursed for their means; their faith was measured by their deeds, not their balance.

As for Jesus himself — he was no beggar wandering in rags. He was called Rabbi, and in that time a man could not bear that title unless his family was provided for. By custom, one had to retire his parents before taking up rabbinic duty. A rabbi was a teacher, not a mendicant. When the Romans crucified him, the soldiers cast lots for his clothing (John 19:23-24). They would not gamble for tatters; his seamless tunic was valuable, woven in one piece from top to bottom — a mark of high craftsmanship and priestly dignity.

Historians and scholars estimate that a good tunic in first-century Judea cost around 12 to 25 denarii. But a seamless one such as his could fetch 30 to 50 denarii, perhaps more. A denarius was roughly a day’s wage for a laborer, so his garments alone could equal nearly two months of a working man’s pay. In modern reckoning that would be around £5,000 – £6,000 (about $7,000 USD) — a fine sum, the kind soldiers would not ignore. That tells you his possessions were not worthless scraps; he was clothed in the dignity of his office.

The Bible’s message is not that holiness demands poverty. It teaches that the love of money — not money itself — is the root of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Proverbs 10:22 says, “The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” Ecclesiastes 5:19 calls wealth a gift from God when rightly enjoyed. The danger lies in serving gold as a god, not in possessing it.

When Jesus told that ruler to sell all, he spoke to that man’s sickness. Other disciples had homes, trades, and means: Peter owned a house in Capernaum (Mark 1:29); Matthew hosted a banquet (Luke 5:29); women like Joanna and Susanna supported the ministry “out of their own means” (Luke 8:3). The early believers shared their goods to care for one another, not because poverty was holy, but because compassion was.

So the truth stands: the scriptures nowhere command believers to be poor. They command hearts to be free — to use wealth as a tool of mercy, not an idol of pride. Jesus was not destitute, nor did he scorn those who had. He warned against greed, not against gain.

That is the weight of it, friend — the sound of scripture when the dust of misreading is blown away. Wealth is neither sin nor salvation. It is only metal, waiting to see whose hand wields it well.

But hey, I’m just an atheist.

MaxInDHouse:
You talk too much!🙂

Thats what people say when they clearly lost, but on the other hand, i rewrote an entire song in the time it took you to think 4 words

The Devil Came Down to Valhalla

The Devil came down to Valhalla,
he was lookin’ for a soul to claim.
He’d heard the halls of Odin rang
with warriors of fame.

He came upon a young skald’s fire,
a harp across his knee.
The Devil said, “Boy, your songs inspire,
but none sing loud as me.”

The skald said, “Name’s Eirik, fiend,
and you’re a fool, I’ll swear.
For if you think you’ll best my tune,
then pull up that smoky chair.

You say you’re bringin’ battle songs,
that your music burns like sin?
Well I’ve got oaths and thunder gods—
now let the clash begin!”

The Devil tuned his shadowed strings,
and fire filled the hall,
His melody like chains and screams,
a serpent’s hiss and call.

But Eirik grinned and struck his chords,
his voice like storm and flame,
He sang of gods and heroes’ swords,
and called each by his name.

He sang of Thor and thunder roads,
of longships on the sea,
Of wolves that chase the winter’s moon,
and men who die set free.

The Devil’s song turned weak and cold,
his rhythm lost its might,
For truth will melt the lies of hell
like dawn unmakes the night.

Then Odin rose and laughed aloud,
and slammed his golden cup,
He said, “By Hel’s own gates, young skald,
you’ve shown that fiend what’s up!”

The Devil snarled and fled the hall,
his fiddle scorched and torn,
While Eirik drank his mead and sang,
‘till rise of golden morn.

So if you hear that demon’s tune,
come whisperin’ through the flame,
Just raise your voice and sing it loud—
and send him back in shame.

Fenrir:
Thats what people say when they clearly lost, but on the other hand, i rewrote an entire song in the time it took you to think 4 words

The Devil Came Down to Valhalla

The Devil came down to Valhalla,
he was lookin’ for a soul to claim.
He’d heard the halls of Odin rang
with warriors of fame.

He came upon a young skald’s fire,
a harp across his knee.
The Devil said, “Boy, your songs inspire,
but none sing loud as me.”

The skald said, “Name’s Eirik, fiend,
and you’re a fool, I’ll swear.
For if you think you’ll best my tune,
then pull up that smoky chair.

You say you’re bringin’ battle songs,
that your music burns like sin?
Well I’ve got oaths and thunder gods—
now let the clash begin!”

The Devil tuned his shadowed strings,
and fire filled the hall,
His melody like chains and screams,
a serpent’s hiss and call.

But Eirik grinned and struck his chords,
his voice like storm and flame,
He sang of gods and heroes’ swords,
and called each by his name.

He sang of Thor and thunder roads,
of longships on the sea,
Of wolves that chase the winter’s moon,
and men who die set free.

The Devil’s song turned weak and cold,
his rhythm lost its might,
For truth will melt the lies of hell
like dawn unmakes the night.

Then Odin rose and laughed aloud,
and slammed his golden cup,
He said, “By Hel’s own gates, young skald,
you’ve shown that fiend what’s up!”

The Devil snarled and fled the hall,
his fiddle scorched and torn,
While Eirik drank his mead and sang,
‘till rise of golden morn.

So if you hear that demon’s tune,
come whisperin’ through the flame,
Just raise your voice and sing it loud—
and send him back in shame.

Fenrir:
But hey, I’m just an atheist.

You are confused atheists don't believe anything called Satan or Devil!

MaxInDHouse:
You are confused atheists don't believe anything called Satan or Devil!

I dont believe and thats the difference between you and a real Christian, a real Christian sees the funny side

MaxInDHouse:
You are confused atheists don't believe anything called Satan or Devil!

Ho there, good man! You mistake the tongue of the unbeliever. When an atheist speaks of ‘Satan’ or ‘the Devil,’ he does not hail that old serpent as real flesh or spirit — nay! He speaks in symbols, as a skald might speak of dragons to mean greed, or storms to mean strife.

To the godless, such words are but tools — old myths used to paint the colors of human folly. They may speak of hell to describe cruelty, or of demons to name the darker corners of men’s hearts. But do not think they kneel before such tales! Their battle is not with horned foes below, but with ignorance and superstition above.

So when you hear an atheist talk of the Devil, think not he’s preaching — he’s mocking the fear, or using the legend as poets use thunder to tell of power. For the unbeliever’s weapons are reason and wit, not faith nor flame.

And mark me well — in the sagas of men, even those who shun the gods still seek truth and honor in their own way. The North winds do not ask belief before they bite, and wisdom wears many cloaks. So let each man sail his own course, be he priest or pagan, and may he have the courage to face the storm without trembling

MaxInDHouse:
You are confused atheists don't believe anything called Satan or Devil!

Fella, im neuro divergent so I can out think you any day of the week just not when im angry. But my good dear igbo wife has taken the anger away.

😊 another song for ya

Sail to the Fjords


The longships rise on the morning tide,
axes gleam where the gulls still hide.
Drums like thunder, hearts like flame,
men of the north seek endless fame.

They sail through mist and biting rain,
to lands of gold and battle’s gain.
The raven circles, black and still,
it feeds on glory, blood, and will.

Sail to the fjords!
Ride through the storm!
We carve our names
where legends are born!
Sail to the fjords!
Cry out the call!
For honor or death —
we’ll answer it all!

The kings of the south cry out in dread,
their temples fall, their priests lie dead.
Yet not for spite do the northmen fight —
they chase their fate through endless night.

When steel meets flesh, and sky turns red,
the old gods smile on the newly dead.
No heaven awaits, no hell to flee,
just mead and song for eternity.

Sail to the fjords!
Ride through the storm!
We carve our names
where legends are born!
Sail to the fjords!
Cry out the call!
For honor or death —
we’ll answer it all!

The sea will claim our bones one day,
the wind will sing where our shields decay.
But until that hour, till the dawn runs dry,
we’ll live like thunder across the sky!

Raise your horns, ye sons of frost —
No soul is damned, no deed is lost!
Through clash and storm our tale endures —
Run not from fate — sail to the fjords!

Real atheists don't believe in symbols or idioms they just live their lives free from burden of whatever anyone thinks as beliefs.
So stop deceiving yourself young man!🙂

Fenrir:
Fella, im neuro divergent so I can out think you any day of the week just not when im angry. But my good dear igbo wife has taken the anger away.

😊 another song for ya

Sail to the Fjords


The longships rise on the morning tide,
axes gleam where the gulls still hide.
Drums like thunder, hearts like flame,
men of the north seek endless fame.

They sail through mist and biting rain,
to lands of gold and battle’s gain.
The raven circles, black and still,
it feeds on glory, blood, and will.

Sail to the fjords!
Ride through the storm!
We carve our names
where legends are born!
Sail to the fjords!
Cry out the call!
For honor or death —
we’ll answer it all!

The kings of the south cry out in dread,
their temples fall, their priests lie dead.
Yet not for spite do the northmen fight —
they chase their fate through endless night.

When steel meets flesh, and sky turns red,
the old gods smile on the newly dead.
No heaven awaits, no hell to flee,
just mead and song for eternity.

Sail to the fjords!
Ride through the storm!
We carve our names
where legends are born!
Sail to the fjords!
Cry out the call!
For honor or death —
we’ll answer it all!

The sea will claim our bones one day,
the wind will sing where our shields decay.
But until that hour, till the dawn runs dry,
we’ll live like thunder across the sky!

Raise your horns, ye sons of frost —
No soul is damned, no deed is lost!
Through clash and storm our tale endures —
Run not from fate — sail to the fjords!

MaxInDHouse:
Real atheists don't believe in symbols or idioms they just live their lives free from burden of whatever anyone thinks as beliefs.
So stop deceiving yourself young man!🙂

I speak of devils and demons not as one who believes in them, but as one who knows the power of a story. A tale is still a tale, whether or not you kneel to it. The word ‘devil’ is an old symbol — a name we give to deceit, cruelty, or corruption. I use it the way a skald might use thunder or wolves in a saga — not as truth, but as imagery sharp enough to make a point.

You see, I do not bow to myths — I borrow them. I use their weight, their fire, their poetry. A story is a hammer, and I wield it to strike meaning, not to worship it.

The fact you take it literally and not as a metaphor is the problem.

MaxInDHouse:
Real atheists don't believe in symbols or idioms they just live their lives free from burden of whatever anyone thinks as beliefs.
So stop deceiving yourself young man!🙂

Ha! You talk as though to use a word like ‘devil’ is to bend the knee to one! Listen well, for you mistake language for worship. Even an atheist may speak of storms and spirits without bowing to the sky. An idiom — that’s what you stumble over — is but a figure of speech, a way to paint meaning with words. It’s when we say, ‘the cat’s out of the bag,’ or ‘the devil’s in the details,’ not because cats or devils are loose, but because the mind loves a bit of color in its speech.

Idioms and metaphors belong to all folk, not to the temples. They’re the tools of poets, thinkers, and jesters alike. I use them as a blacksmith uses iron — not to believe in it, but to shape it into something that lasts.

So no, I’m not bound by your gods, your devils, or your disbelief. I’m free enough to use every word in the tongue of man — and clever enough to know when it’s just an idiom, not an altar.

MaxInDHouse:
Real atheists don't believe in symbols or idioms they just live their lives free from burden of whatever anyone thinks as beliefs.
So stop deceiving yourself young man!🙂

You’re trying to label me, lad — to shove me into a little box your mind can make sense of. That’s the trouble with you folk who fear the vastness of thought: you’d rather have neat corners than open skies. But I don’t fit your box, nor any man’s. I am not your idea of an atheist; I am my own kind.

There are many who wear that word. Some simply doubt — they stand unsure, saying, ‘perhaps, perhaps not.’ Others shrug and live as though gods were no concern at all. Then there are those like me — who know there is no god, no devil, no spirit beyond the imagination of humankind. But what an imagination it is! To build myths, to craft tales, to fill the dark with meaning — that’s no weakness; that’s art.

I don’t believe in the gods, but I understand why they were born — out of wonder, fear, and the hunger to explain the stars. The difference is, I honor the mind that made them, not the myth itself. That’s not deceit, that’s clarity. So keep your box, friend — I prefer the open sea.

When an atheist feels like talking about faith in God!😂

Out of several dictionary definitions of the word "SELL" you will find this:

"To let down one's own team in an endeavour."

Each human has become an investment for those depending on him or her so whatever we are doing for a living surely has a lot to do with people around us since it's impossible to consume all our earnings alone we build business empires and employ many to join the working force hence our net worth in life.
So when Jesus told the rich man to sell everything he has and give to the poor he is telling him to strip off his net worth and become a common citizen of little or no value in the eyes of men but worth more than an emperor in God's eyes. Luke 18:22

With that this man will become an ordinary citizen of no value in the eyes of many then he could start moving from house to house preaching the Kingdom of God in all his neighborhood.

Of course what Jesus asked him is not a must for all his disciples because Jesus actually has two flock of sheep his main focus back then is the first flock which comprises of those to be anointed along with him as his corulers so most of his statements was centered on this first flock! John 10:16

The man may later join Jesus' disciples but then he can only become part of the second flock of sheep.

Nicodemus was a ruler among the Jews as a member of the Jewish High Court his intention was to become a coruler with the Christ so from the top directly to the top again that's why Jesus told him the seats belongs only to BORN AGAIN believers! John 3:3-5

A Born Again Christian is someone who has been anointed with God's holy spirit therefore such a person has been marked as a future coruler with Christ in heaven. Nicodemus wanted to rule with the Christ but then he needs to let go of his political seat among the Pharisees and get baptized in water before everyone as a disciple of Jesus so that by the time God anoints the first flock {Act 2:1-4} he could be among them since he has been born of WATER and later of the SPIRIT! John 3:5

Selling off everything for the love of your Christian brothers and sisters!

MaxInDHouse:
Selling off everything for the love of your Christian brothers and sisters!

Go and sell off first

singlealone:
Go and sell off first

Most of you just jump into discussions without reading the whole articles.
Jesus was talking to born again Christians in that context but i'm not a born again Christian!🙂

The block has ended, you up for round 2?

MaxInDHouse:
Most of you just jump into discussions without reading the whole articles.
Jesus was talking to born again Christians in that context but i'm not a born again Christian!🙂

Oh wow. Reading your post was like watching a cat try to herd invisible demons while blindfolded and drunk on holy water. Let’s unpack this cosmic circus.

First, the rich young ruler. You act like selling everything is a mandatory life hack for every disciple ever. Guess what? It isn’t. Most of Jesus’ followers—Peter, John, Paul—had homes, families, even businesses. Your “everyone must sell everything to be a coruler” line is selective fanfiction masquerading as scripture. Spoiler alert: the heavenly board didn’t issue memos for everyone else.

Second, your logic is hilarious. “Sell all your stuff, give to the poor, get treasure in heaven.” That’s not advice, that’s spiritual Monopoly sponsored by cosmic entities with terrible HR policies. Generosity is fine, but tying it to invisible rewards for imaginary positions in a celestial oligarchy? Comedic gold.

Third, your obsession with the “first flock” and “corulers only” reeks of elitist delusion. Everyone else? NPCs in your divine video game. Meanwhile, I, your friendly neighborhood atheist, am casually using “gods and demons” as metaphors for human greed, fear, and power plays—and you hate it. Why? Because you have a fragile little worldview that can’t compute the fact that atheists come in multitudes: sarcastic, skeptical, metaphorical, literal, and every combination thereof.

Here’s the thing: I don’t need to literally believe in gods and demons to talk about human demons—greed, hypocrisy, fear—and the gods? Perfect metaphors for authority figures you’d sell your soul to if it earned you corulership. And yes, I will keep doing this specifically because you can’t put me in your neat little theological box. I exist to discombobulate you.

Bottom line: selling everything for heavenly stock options is optional fanservice. Generosity is good, but the mystical accounting ledger? Comedic tragedy. Everyone should stick to the real world, deal with real consequences, and leave your imaginary coruler tryouts to the celestial HR department that doesn’t exist.

So yes, I’m the same atheist that makes you twitch: I speak in metaphors, reason, and observable outcomes—things your precious coruler fantasy cannot compute.

—The atheist who breaks your mental software

Some people are better left unattended to as they are just seeking attention!🙂

Selling off everything they had and giving to the poor!🙂

Using all their time and resources for the Good News while everyone is busy pursuing material things of the world.

Are you storing your treasures in heaven where no thief can rob? Matthew 6:19-21