A young man came to Christ and said: “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Jesus bade him keep the commandments. He returned answer: Lord, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” Jesus looked with love upon the young man, and faithfully pointed out to him his deficiency in keeping the commandments. He did not love his neighbor as himself. Christ showed him his true character. His selfish love of riches was a defect, which, if not removed, would debar him from heaven. “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.” Christ would have him understand that He required nothing of him more than He Himself had experienced. All He asked was that he should follow His example. {4T 49.3}

En ung mand kom til Kristus og sagde: »Mester! hvad godt skal jeg gøre for at få evigt liv?« Jesus bad ham holde lovene. Han vendte tilbage med svaret: »Det har jeg holdt alt sammen; hvad mangler jeg endnu?« Jesus så kærligt på den unge mand og understregede nøje for ham hvad han manglede i at holde budene. Han elskede ikke sin næste som sig selv. Kristus viste ham hans sande karakter. Hans selviske kærlighed til rigdomme var en defekt, som ville, hvis den ikke blev fjernet, udelukke ham fra himlen. »Vil du være fuldkommen, så gå hen og sælg, hvad du ejer og giv det til de fattige, så vil du have en skat i Himlene; og kom så og følg mig!« Kristus vil have ham til at forstå at han ikke krævede mere af ham end hvad han selv havde erfaring med. Alt hvad han bad om var at følge sit eget eksempel.