Here was his lack. He failed to keep the first four commandments, also the last six. He failed to love his neighbor as himself. Said Jesus: “Give to the poor.” Jesus touched his possessions. “Sell that thou hast, and give to the poor.” In this direct reference He pointed out his idol. His love of riches was supreme; therefore it was impossible for him to love God with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his mind. And this supreme love for his riches shut his eyes to the wants of his fellow men. He did not love his neighbor as himself, therefore he failed to keep the last six commandments. His heart was on his treasure. It was swallowed up in his earthly possessions. He loved his possessions better than God, better than the heavenly treasure. He heard the conditions from the mouth of Jesus. If he would sell and give to the poor, he should have treasure in heaven. Here was a test of how much higher he prized eternal life than riches. Did he eagerly lay hold of the prospect of eternal life? Did he earnestly strive to remove the obstacle that was in his way of having a treasure in heaven? Oh, no; “he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” {1T 171.3}

Her er hans mangel. Han undlod at holde de første fire bud og også de sidste seks. Han undlod at elske sin næste som sig selv. Jesus sagde: »Giv det til de fattige« Jesus rørte ved hans ejendomme. »Gå hen og sælg, hvad du ejer og giv det til de fattige.« Ved denne forbindelse udpegede han hans afgud. Hans kærlighed til rigdomme var størst; derfor var det umuligt for ham at elske Gud af hele sit hjerte, med hele sin sjæl og af hele sit (172) sind. Og denne største kærlighed for rigdomme lukkede hans øjne for medmenneskernes behov. Han elskede ikke sin næste som sig selv, derfor kunne han ikke holde de sidste seks bud. Hans hjerte var ved hans rigdomme. Det var opslugt i hans jordiske besiddelser. Han elskede sine ejendomme højere end Gud, større end himmelsk rigdom. Han hørte betingelserne fra Jesu mund. Hvis han ville sælge og give til de fattige, ville han have rigdomme i himlen. Her var en prøve for hvor meget højere han vurderede evigt liv end rigdomme. Greb han ivrigt udsigten til evigt liv? Stræbte han alvorligt på at fjerne den forhindring der var i vejen for have rigdomme i himlen? Oh nej; »han gik bedrøvet bort; thi han havde meget gods."