clothing joined the circle around Jesus. The disciples immediately
recognized that he was a member of the party of the Pharisees because he
wore large tassels on his robe. During a pause in the discussion he
asked a question which Simon thought must have been troubling him for
some time.

"Good Teacher," he asked, "you have told these others how to enter the
Kingdom of God. Now what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Jesus looked at the young man keenly. "Why do you call me 'good'?" he
asked. "Only God is good." Then his tone softened. "You know the
commandments--do not commit adultery; do not kill; do not steal; do not
speak lies--if you obey the law of God you possess eternal life."

The disciples looked at the young man with the greatest respect. Here
was a really religious man! A Pharisee who kept all the Law--what more
could God require? And he was rich. Did that not prove he had pleased
God?

"But, Teacher," replied the young man, "I have obeyed every one of these
laws perfectly since I was a child. But somehow ... it is not enough. I
am not satisfied."

John was puzzled. _This man should be happy_, he thought. _I was just a
poor fisherman, but this man seems to have everything._ The other
disciples also wondered what Jesus could say to the young man.

"You lack just one thing," said Jesus. "You must get rid of all your
possessions. Sell your property. Go and give your money to the poor.
Come and be my disciple."

Shock and disappointment came over the young man's face. "I can't do a
thing like that!" he exclaimed. "Why should I give my money away?"

"You must sell all that you have and give to the poor," insisted Jesus.
"If you want eternal life, you must put God first. If you go on clinging
to the things you own, no matter how little you may keep back, you will
never find the Kingdom of God."

"But God gave me my money," protested the young Pharisee. "Is he not the
one who gives all good things? Why should you ask me to get rid of
things he himself has given me?" The disciples felt that his argument
was logical. "I have kept every detail of the religious rules,"
continued the young man. "I even keep two fasts instead of one! I never
break the Sabbath. Don't you think I have earned eternal life?"

Jesus answered simply; he did not argue. "Any man who wishes to enter
the Kingdom must seek the will of God above every other goal. Where a
man's treasure is, there is his heart also. You have not given y