19
Jesus said, "Why are you calling me good? No one is good - only God.
20
You know the commandments, don't you? No illicit sex, no killing, no stealing, no lying, honor your father and mother."
21
He said, "I've kept them all for as long as I can remember."
22
When Jesus heard that, he said, "Then there's only one thing left to do: Sell everything you own and give it away to the poor. You will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me."
23
This was the last thing the official expected to hear. He was very rich and became terribly sad. He was holding on tight to a lot of things and not about to let them go.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.