In these chapters, Jesus teaches what our goals should be in life: instead of seeking riches, to live obediently; instead of seeking to command others, to serve.
Jesus Teaches about Wealth (Mark 10:17-31). Julie M. Smith, from The Gospel According to Mark.
While the impulse to minimize Jesus’ teachings should generally be avoided, there is good reason to believe that the command to sell all was not meat to be a universal command but rather was unique to this man’s situation likely his wealth was obtained unethically. Mark withholds the detail that the man was rich until the end of the story; it is a common technique for Mark to delay crucial information in order to emphasize it and to heighten the suspense in the story.
“The Rich Young Ruler and the Parable of the Unjust Steward,” S. Kent Brown, BYU New Testament Commentary
Jesus prepared his disciples to be wise and faithful leaders. The interaction with the Rich Young Ruler teaches them that if people’s hearts are tied to money and the things of this world, they cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. The parable of the unjust steward praises the steward for taking decisive and shrewd action, but Jesus adds that the correct principle is to be faithful with even small responsibilities.
“What Manner of Men Ought Ye to Be?” Howard W. Hunter, Ensign, May 1994
This article pleads that Church members look to Jesus Christ as the ultimate standard. Christ set a perfect example of right living, in order that all mankind might know how to live, how to improve, and how to become more godlike. We must be willing to forsake the things of this world in order to become like him.
