If you read the Apostle Paul’s letters, you will see that even though Paul was also a Pharisee before coming to Christ, he later counted all his worldly riches and prestige as dung, and was glad to lose them in order to gain Christ (Philippians 3:8).

The rich young ruler counted on his worldly riches and prestige in order to get him to Heaven. From our reading today, we learn that man has only to break the law in one point to be guilty of breaking it all.

Jesus has no need of our money, our self-righteousness, or our clout. Rather, we have a need for Him. Do you remember every day that it is Jesus Who took us as we were, with all our stains and faults? Do you remember every day that without Jesus, none of us can boast of anything?

Are you tempted to lean on yourself? Are you tempted to think like this young ruler, “I have done everything all by myself”?

When my granddaughter, Amanda, was in Kindergarten, she thought she could read. On several occasions, she would climb into my lap and “read” me one of her storybooks by describing what was happening in the pictures. This was acceptable, and even adorable then. But now that Amanda is in college, she cannot “lean” on the pictures anymore. She must lean on the words.

Learn to lean on Christ instead of your own dead works. He’s the only One Who can keep you from falling.