The Boundaries of Self-Reliance

In Mark 10:17-22, we meet a rich man who approaches Jesus with an important question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He’s followed all the commandments and thinks he’s doing everything right. But Jesus, looking beyond his outward actions, sees that there’s something missing—something deep in his heart.

Jesus tells him that he lacks one thing: “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But the man’s face falls. His wealth, which he’s worked so hard for, holds him back. He can’t let go, and so he walks away sad.

This story isn’t just about money; it’s about what we hold on to in place of fully trusting God. The rich man’s wealth was his security, his identity, and his source of self-reliance. What might be the equivalent in your life? Is it your career, your achievements, your relationships, or even your need for control?

The challenge here is not about giving up material possessions alone, but about what those possessions represent. What’s that one thing that you hold so tightly to that you’re not fully surrendering to God?

Take a moment to reflect: Is there something in your life that’s keeping you from stepping into full dependence on Jesus? It might be a fear of losing control, a comfort with where you are, or the weight of something you feel you can’t live without. But true faith requires surrender. It’s about releasing everything that stands between you and a life fully lived in God’s will.