God’s Grace: Free But Costs You Everything — August 11 [Description]Overview of the Passage:This passage centers on a powerful exchange between Jesus and a wealthy young ruler who sincerely sought eternal life but was blinded by his attachment to wealth and self-righteousness. Jesus lovingly pointed him to the true path—obedience from the heart and full surrender to God’s grace. The story illustrates that salvation is not earned by good deeds or status but is possible only through God’s transforming love. Even Christ’s disciples, influenced by cultural assumptions, believed wealth was a sign of divine favor. Jesus corrected them, showing that salvation requires total trust in God, not possessions or performance. He affirmed that sacrifices made for His sake would be richly rewarded, both now and in eternity. The core message: God’s grace is free—but it costs you everything.

Spirit of Prophecy Reading

Christ’s Object Lessons pp.390-395:365D 223.1

This chapter is based on Matthew 19:16-30; Matthew 20:1-16; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30.365D 223.2

The truth of God’s free grace had been almost lost sight of by the Jews. The rabbis taught that God’s favor must be earned. The reward of the righteous they hoped to gain by their own works. Thus their worship was prompted by a grasping, mercenary spirit. From this spirit even the disciples of Christ were not wholly free, and the Saviour sought every opportunity of showing them their error. Just before He gave the parable of the laborers, an event occurred that opened the way for Him to present the right principles.365D 223.3

As He was walking by the way, a young ruler came running to Him, and kneeling, reverently saluted Him. “Good Master,” he said, “what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”365D 223.4

The ruler had addressed Christ merely as an honored rabbi, not discerning in Him the Son of God. The Saviour said, “Why callest thou Me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.” On what ground do you call Me good? God is the one good. If you recognize Me as such, you must receive Me as His Son and representative.365D 223.5

Peter was the first to rally from the secret conviction wrought by the Saviour’s words. He thought with satisfaction of what he and his brethren had given up for Christ. “Behold,” he said, “we have forsaken all, and followed Thee.” Remembering the conditional promise to the young ruler, “Thou shalt have treasure in heaven,” he now asked what he and his companions were to receive as a reward for their sacrifices.365D 223.6

The Saviour’s answer thrilled the hearts of those Galilean fishermen. It pictured honors that fulfilled their highest dreams: “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 He added, “There is no man that hath left house, 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.”365D 223.7