The rich young ruler didn’t just have wealth—he trusted it (Matthew 19:16–30). His money gave him a false sense of security and self-sufficiency, convincing him he was in control. In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef shows why Scripture repeatedly warns against that trap and calls believers to live differently.

Paul’s instruction to Timothy is direct: don’t be arrogant, and don’t put your hope in wealth “which is so uncertain,” but in God who provides richly (1 Timothy 6:17). Jesus goes even further, urging us to stop stockpiling temporary treasures and instead invest in eternity—because what you treasure reveals what you truly worship (Matthew 6:19–21).

Dr. Youssef also exposes the deeper misconception behind the ruler’s mindset: thinking salvation can be earned, purchased, or donated into existence. No amount of rule-keeping, good deeds, or financial generosity can reconcile a sinner to God. Jesus makes the point unmistakably: what is impossible with man is possible with God (Matthew 19:26). Only God can change a sinful heart, and only the blood of Jesus can secure forgiveness and eternal life.

If you’ve been tempted to rely on resources, status, or self-effort for security, this devotional will redirect your hope to the only sure foundation: Christ alone.

Prayer: God, thank You for sending Your Son to die on the cross for me. Help me to remember to put my hope in You every day, not in my finances. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon Encountering Christ, Arms Wide Open: LISTEN NOW

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.

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Since Babel, mankind has chased a self-made path to heaven—measuring life by achievement, control, and success. But Scripture teaches the opposite: the way to salvation is surrender.

In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef walks through Matthew 19:16–30, where the rich young ruler asks Jesus, “What good thing must I do to get eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16). Even after claiming obedience to the commandments, he still senses something missing: “What do I still lack?” (Matthew 19:20). His wealth, influence, and accomplishments couldn’t satisfy the deeper hunger of his soul.

Jesus exposes the real issue—not merely money, but the idol behind it. The ruler kept the law outwardly, yet had not humbled himself to yield everything to God. His grip on earthly treasure revealed his refusal to fully trust Christ for true spiritual riches. When confronted with surrender, he walked away sad—because he wasn’t willing to release what he loved most.

This devotional turns the question toward us:
What are you unwilling to leave behind for the sake of Christ? What “treasure” are you holding so tightly that it keeps you from repentance, obedience, and joy-filled freedom?

And it ends with Gospel hope: the Father gave what mattered most—His Son—and Jesus humbled Himself all the way to the cross so you could be forgiven, restored, and led into life you could never earn.

Prayer: Lord, help me understand the infinite worth of life in Christ so that I do not cling to lesser idols. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things” (Philippians 3:8).

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon Encountering Christ, Arms Wide Open: LISTEN NOW

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.

🙏 Pastoral Care & Prayer Teams
Our trained prayer partners and pastoral care team are available to pray with you and offer Biblical support.
https://ltw.org/care

💬 Receive personal answers to your faith questions—anytime, day or night—at:
https://myfaithassistant.com

If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, please consider a tax-deductible donation to help extend this ministry—so another person can be encouraged, prayed for, and pointed to Christ.

❤️ Support Leading The Way:
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There’s so much to learn from Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman—and even the language He used reveals the difference between what the world offers and what Christ gives. The woman spoke of water like stagnant cistern water, but Jesus spoke of living water—a bubbling, ever-refreshing spring that becomes a continual source of life and purpose for every believer (John 7:37–39).

In this episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef highlights how Jesus offers the only satisfaction that can reach the deepest thirst—fulfillment the world can’t provide, no matter how many pursuits promise joy but leave the soul empty. Then he turns to Jesus’ example of sharing the Good News with someone from a very different background: Christ lingered, asked questions, refused to condemn, refused to excuse sin, and offered hope as a gift of grace.

The result was transformation—repentance, cleansing, and a new future. And the promise extends to you: when you receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, rivers of living water flow from within you—an inexhaustible fountain meant to bless others as you share Christ with the spiritually parched around you.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your offer of living water. Help me to remember that there are people all around me who are thirsty for that eternal life and love that only You can offer them. Give me courage and discernment to start those conversations that will lead people to You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life’” (John 4:13-14).

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon Encountering Christ, Freedom from Bondage: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.

🙏 Pastoral Care & Prayer Teams
Our trained prayer partners and pastoral care team are available to pray with you and offer Biblical support.
https://ltw.org/care

💬 Receive personal answers to your faith questions—anytime, day or night—at:
https://myfaithassistant.com

If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, please consider a tax-deductible donation to help extend this ministry—so another person can be encouraged, prayed for, and pointed to Christ.

❤️ Support Leading The Way:
https://www.ltw.org/donate