Dr. Charles Cooper draws a powerful parallel between the rich young ruler’s emotional distress and Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. Both men faced a decisive moment: whether to obey God’s will despite the cost. One submitted; the other walked away with profound regret.

From that contrast, Dr. Cooper identifies five values of the rich—values that still challenge believers today.

1. Possession Over Submission

The ruler’s wealth represented both security and identity. His possessions became proof of God’s favor and the means to control his destiny. When Jesus asked him to sell everything, it was a test of trust—God’s provision or his portfolio?

True faith submits ownership to the Lord rather than clinging to control.

2. Status Over Sacrifice

In first-century Judaism, wealth carried social honor and the assumption of righteousness. Giving it up to follow a poor, itinerant rabbi would have destroyed his reputation. His loyalty to public recognition outweighed humility and obedience.

Dr. Cooper reminds listeners that Kingdom greatness always comes through surrender, not status.

3. Law-Keeping Over Heart Trust

The ruler believed he had kept the law from his youth, yet his obedience was transactional—not relational. He performed religious duties without loving the God who gave them.

Jesus exposed this void, showing that external obedience without internal devotion is empty. The rich young ruler valued morality more than intimacy with his Creator.

4. Temporal Reward Over Eternal Treasure

When Jesus promised, “You will have treasure in heaven,” the man couldn’t imagine value beyond what he could see. His heart was anchored to the present, not the Kingdom to come.

Faith requires imagination—the ability to believe that eternal reward outweighs temporary gain.

5. Self-Preservation Over Self-Denial

Following Jesus always involves the cross. The ruler wanted assurance of eternal life without the cost of discipleship. He desired a Messiah who confirmed his comfort, not one who called for crucified loyalty.

Jesus wasn’t trying to impoverish him—He was inviting him to transfer his treasure. The tragedy was not wealth but misplaced trust.

The rich young ruler’s disappointment reveals that values, not riches, determine faithfulness.

He knew the truth, desired the Kingdom, but refused the cost. His question—“What must I do to inherit eternal life?”—came from knowledge without submission.

He left sorrowful because he valued control, comfort, and credit more than Christ.

00:00 – The “operating system” behind our choices

00:27 – Introduction to the Doctrine of Rewards and the rich young ruler

01:00 – The ruler’s question and Jesus’ reply (Luke 18:18-23)

03:00 – Emotional distress compared to Jesus in Gethsemane

05:08 – Sorrow as the result of disobedience

07:00 – The parable of the talents and consequences for unfaithfulness

09:22 – Faithfulness vs. laziness in Kingdom service

12:00 – Weeping and gnashing of teeth as regret—not condemnation

14:15 – Why God “hates the rich” — worship of creation over Creator

16:15 – Value #1: Possession over submission

17:27 – Value #2: Status over sacrifice

19:03 – Value #3: Law-keeping over heart trust

21:18 – Value #4: Temporal reward over eternal treasure

23:40 – Value #5: Self-preservation over self-denial

25:27 – Comfort vs. faith in Christ

27:00 – The invitation to transfer treasure

27:28 – Profound regret and missed opportunity

31:52 – The ruler’s choice and our own: what we value determines reward

Luke 18:18-23

Matthew 19:16-22

Mark 10:17-27

Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 26:37-38

1 Corinthians 3:11-15

1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Week 6 of the Does God Hate the Rich? series:

• Contrasts the obedience of Jesus and the disobedience of the rich young ruler.
• Shows that emotional distress often accompanies the choice to obey or resist God.
• Defines five heart values that offend God and still ensnare believers today.
• Clarifies that regret at the Bema Seat is real but avoidable through faithful obedience.
• Calls believers to submit possessions, status, and comfort to Christ and live for eternal reward.
• Prepares for Week 7: Discipleship and the Transfer of Treasure.

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