In the midst of the solemn instruction that Christ had given, this man had revealed his selfish disposition. He could appreciate that ability of the Lord which might work for the advancement of his own temporal affairs; but spiritual truths had taken no hold on his mind and heart. The gaining of the inheritance was his absorbing theme. Jesus, the King of glory, who was rich, yet for our sake became poor, was opening to him the treasures of divine love. The Holy Spirit was pleading with him to become an heir of the inheritance that is "incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away." 1 Peter 1:4. He had seen evidence of the power of Christ. Now the opportunity was his to speak to the great Teacher, to express the desire uppermost in his heart. But like the man with the muck rake in Bunyan's allegory, his eyes were fixed on the earth. He saw not the crown above his head. Like Simon Magus, he valued the gift of God as a means of worldly gain.

Medens Kristus havde givet denne alvorlige undervisning, havde denne mand åbenbaret sin egenkærlige karakter Han satte pris på Herrens dygtighed, som vel kunne fremme hans egne timelige interesser men de åndelige sandheder havde ikke gjort indtryk på hans sind og hjerte. Det eneste, han havde i tanke, var at vinde arven. Jesus, Herlighedens Konge, som var rig, men som for vor skyld blev fattig, viste ham den guddommelige kærligheds rige skatte Helligånden søgte at overtale ham til at blive arving til "en uforkrænkelig og ubesmittelig og uvisnelig arv" Han havde set beviser på Kristi kraft. Nu var anledningen kommet, så han kunne tale til den store lærer om det, der lå ham mest på hjerte. Men ligesom det var med manden med riven i Bunyans "Pilgrimsvandring", havde han blikket fæstet mod jorden. Han lagde ikke mærke til kronen over sit hoved. Ligesom Simon troldmand regnede han kun Guds gave som et middel til at skaffe sig jordisk vinding.