EGW WritingsMatthew 19

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)

Lt 1a, 1872

2LtMs, Lt 1a, 1872, par. 13

The young ruler asked Christ what good thing he should do that he might inherit the kingdom of Christ. Jesus answered, “Keep the commandments.” He returned [the] answer, “All these have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” Matthew 19:17, 20. Jesus then points to the defects in his Christian character—he had not kept the commandments of God, he did not love his neighbor as himself—which if not removed would debar him from heaven. “Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.” Verse 21. Jesus would have him understand that He required nothing of him but that He had Himself experienced and all He asked of him was to follow His own example. He left glory and honor and riches to come to a world of sin to save lost man. He became poor, that man through His poverty might be made rich. Jesus then gave the sure promise, “Thou shalt have treasure in heaven.”

Faith and Works

Chapter 17—Counsel to a Leading Minister on the Presentation of the Relation of Faith and Works

FW 112.1

The young man came to Jesus with the question, “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). And Christ saith unto him, “Why callest thou Me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said unto Him, “Which?” Jesus quoted several, and the young man said unto Him, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” Jesus said unto him, “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.” Here are conditions, and the Bible is full of conditions. “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:17, 20, 21, 22).

Selected Messages Book 1

Chapter 60—Relation of Faith and Works

1SM 378.2

The young man came to Jesus with the question, “Good Master, what shall I do, that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). And Christ saith unto him, “Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” He saith unto Him, “Which?” Jesus quoted several, and the young man said unto Him, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” Jesus said unto him, “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.” Here are conditions, and the Bible is full of conditions. “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:17, 20, 21, 22).

Selected Messages Book 2

Chapter 13—Should Christians Be Members of Secret Societies?

2SM 125.1

I ask you who take pleasure in these associations, who love the gathering for indulgence in wit and merriment and feasting, Do you take Jesus with you? Are you seeking to save the souls of your companions? Is that the object of your association with them? Do they see and feel that there is in you a living embodiment of the Spirit of Christ? Is it manifest that you are a witness for Christ, that you belong to a peculiar people, zealous of good works? Is it manifest that your life is governed by the divine precepts, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37), and, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 19:19)? To speak to the hearts and consciences of those that are ready to perish, is beyond the power of one who does not himself surrender all for Christ. But where do your fluency and warmth of speech show that your interest is centered?

Testimony Treasures, vol. 2

Unselfish Labor for Others

2TT 249.1

Let those who have been remiss in this work consider their duty in the light of the great commandment: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matthew 19:19. This obligation is resting upon all. All are required to labor to diminish the ills and multiply the blessings of their fellow creatures. If we are strong to resist temptation we are under the greater obligation to help those who are weak and yielding. Have we knowledge, we should instruct the ignorant. Has God blessed us with this world’s goods, it is our duty to succor the poor. We must work for others’ good. Let all within the sphere of our influence be partakers of whatever of excellence we may possess. None should be content to feed on the bread of life without sharing it with those around them.

Faith and Works

This is Righteousness by Faith

FW 70.3

Don’t you know that when the young man came to Christ and asked Him what he should do that he might have life, Christ told him to keep the commandments. Said he, “I have done it.” Now the Lord wanted to bring this lesson right home. “What lack I yet? I am perfectly whole” (Matthew 19:20). He did not see that there was a thing the matter with him or why he should not have eternal life. “I have done it,” he said. Now Christ touches the plague spot of his heart. He says, “Come, follow Me, and ye shall have life.”

Our Father Cares

Cultivate Tenderness in the Home, September 19

OFC 274.2

The young man who came to Jesus asked what he should do that he might inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments, and enumerated several of the precepts of the law. The young man said, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” (Matthew 19:20). The first four commandments enjoin upon man the duty of loving God supremely and the last six present the requirement of loving our neighbors as ourselves. How many are truly, sincerely, and wholeheartedly doing this?

This Day With God

Cultivate Tenderness in the Home, August 18

TDG 239.2

The young man who came to Jesus asked what he should do that he might inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments, and enumerated several of the precepts of the law. The young man said, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” (Matthew 19:20). The first four commandments enjoin upon man the duty of loving God supremely and the last six present the requirement of loving our neighbors as ourselves. How many are truly, sincerely, and wholeheartedly doing this?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 90, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 90, 1895, par. 9

The rich young ruler thought that he loved God until Jesus revealed his idol to him, and showed him that he was making a god of his possessions. He had come to Christ asking, “What lack I yet?” [Matthew 19:20.] The answer was, “Sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.” Did he do this? “And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.” [Luke 18:22, 23.] There is much in the example of Christ which a man who loves the world will not admire. Many have a partial love for Christ, but when the condition of discipleship is made bare, and they see that if they continue to follow Christ they must deny self, take up the cross and follow Jesus, they draw back.

10LtMs, Lt 90, 1895, par. 19

God has a work for you to do for your children and your relatives. Keep in living touch with God, in order that you may give them right counsel. The Lord has set His love upon you, and your children should respect your advice and counsel. Keep in mind the words which were spoken to the Apostle Peter, “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” [Matthew 19:28.] “Verily I say unto you, there is no man that has left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come, eternal life.” [Mark 10:29, 30.] These promises are rich and full, and we should appreciate them, and have respect unto the recompense of the reward.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Lt 202, 1899

14LtMs, Lt 202, 1899, par. 3

There is a claiming to keep the commandments of God, when they are only kept in the way in which the rich young ruler kept them. He honestly thought himself a perfect man, blameless as far as the law was concerned. Christ asked him to use the means entrusted to him in doing the work God designed should be done. “Sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me,” He said. [Matthew 19:21.] But the ruler could not make up his mind to part with his earthly treasure, and he turned sorrowfully away.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 43, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 43, 1900, par. 45

In these words the Lord points out the only way for rich men to enter the kingdom of heaven: “Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor,” (those who are in need of temporal and spiritual food) “and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” [Matthew 19:21.] Did not Christ know what a struggle that ruler would have? He did; and as soon as he should consent to place his feet in the footsteps of his Lord, then, through the grace given him, the way would be made easy. This is the course all must pursue to obtain the prize of a home in God’s kingdom, a possession that will never pass away.

From the Heart

Sacrifice for the Cause of God, March 1

FH 72.1

If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. Matthew 19:21.

Homeward Bound

Remember the Poor, July 5

HB 210.1

If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.—Matthew 19:21.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 12, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 12, 1897, par. 14

When Elijah saw Elisha in the field with the servants, ploughing with his twelve yoke of oxen, he came to the field of labor, and while passing by, he unfastened his mantle and threw it upon the shoulders of Elisha. During the three years and a half of barrenness and famine, the family of Shaphat became familiar with the work and mission of Elijah the prophet. The Spirit of God impressed the heart of Elisha in regard to the meaning of this action. This was his signal that God had called him to be the successor of Elijah. It was similar to the commission of Christ to the young ruler to leave all—houses, lands, friends, riches, comforts, and ease, “and come and follow me.” [Matthew 19:21.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 1 (1844 - 1868)

Lt 2, 1857

1LtMs, Lt 2, 1857, par. 6

I was shown in vision at Monterey that God was calling upon those who have this world’s goods to sacrifice of their substance. A few have listened to the call, but many will go away sorrowful like the young man who came to Jesus to know what he should do to inherit eternal life. At the answer of Jesus, “Go and sell that thou hast,” he was sorrowful, for he had great possessions. [Matthew 19:21, 22.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Lt 47, 1894

9LtMs, Lt 47, 1894, par. 15

There are miracles to be wrought in genuine conversion—miracles that are not now discerned. Many discernments will be presented, many heart-sickening revelations will be made. Christ has said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. [Matthew 19:24.] But all things are possible with God. Here is a lesson to His disciples which is deep and broad. God can and will work through human agencies upon the minds of rich men who are devoted to money getting; through the influence of the Holy Spirit many will accept the divine principles. The human agent is God’s instrumentality, with whom He combines His sufficiency. It is not man that is to receive the glory; it is God, the Master Worker.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Ms 114, 1905

20LtMs, Ms 114, 1905, par. 20

“Then answered Peter and said unto Him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed Thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, of father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” [Matthew 19:27-29.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Ms 167, 1907

22LtMs, Ms 167, 1907, par. 4

“Then answered Peter, and said unto Him, Behold, we have forsaken all and followed Thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of this glory, ye shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.” [Matthew 19:27-30.]

Patriarchs and Prophets

Appendix

PP 762.3

To the twelve apostles the Saviour said, “I appoint unto you a kingdom, as My Father hath appointed unto Me; that ye may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Luke 22:29, 30. From Matthew’s account ofChrist’s promise to the twelve we learn when it will be fulfilled; “in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:28. In the parable of the talents, Christ represents Himself under the figure of a nobleman who “went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.” Luke 19:12. And He Himself has told us when He will sit upon the throne of His glory: “When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: And before Him shall be gathered all nations.” Matthew 25:31, 32.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)

Ms 6, 1873

2LtMs, Ms 6, 1873, par. 24

We are not feeling well. We rested but little during the night. My husband spoke to the people in the forenoon with considerable freedom from Matthew 19:28-30. I spoke to the people in the afternoon in regard to praising the Lord. I read 144th and 145th Psalms and made remarks in regard to our lack of praising the Lord. The people seemed to feel the necessity of awakening to a realizing sense of God’s mercies and unbounded goodness. We had many very precious testimonies to the point. We felt that our meeting had not been without some good results.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 110, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 110, 1901, par. 3

“Eat and drink at my table”—that is, be admitted to near communion with Me, as are those who are favored with the distinction of being placed in a position of honor near the king. Christ’s faithful ones are to administer under His authority the affairs of His spiritual kingdom. “Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” [Matthew 19:28-30.]

That I May Know Him

Simple Faith and Unquestioning Obedience, April 20

TMK 116.1

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. Matthew 19:29.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 41, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 41, 1894, par. 17

Business interests, social endowments, ease, honor, reputation, every capability we possess, all these are gifts entrusted by God, and must be held in subjection to the superior, ever-paramount claims of God. Abundant compensation will follow true faith and obedience, both in this life and the future, immortal life. “Everyone,” says Jesus, the great Teacher, “that hath forsaken houses or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold in this life, and shall have eternal life.” [Matthew 19:29.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 75, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 75, 1898, par. 21

We have no time to spend now in longing to be higher than we are. The grumblers will never cease their criticism as long as time shall last. Some think they should be first. They think their great talents are not appreciated, and in this they reveal that they are unfitted for any position of responsibility. The first, Christ declares, shall be last. [Matthew 19:30.]