There once was a young man named Caleb who built a startup in his twenties.
By thirty, he was on the cover of every business magazine.
His company’s valuation soared. He owned four homes, traveled by private jet, and had more money than he could spend in ten lifetimes.
But Caleb wasn’t arrogant.
He tithed.
He donated to charity.
He even funded clean water projects and climate tech.
One day, he saw a spiritual teacher gaining popularity online, not for flash or fame, but for quietly changing lives.
Intrigued, Caleb sent a message:
“Good teacher, I’ve followed every teaching I know.
I’ve honored my parents,
never cheated,
avoided scandal,
and given generously.
What more must I do to find eternal life?”
The teacher responded:
“You’ve done well, but one thing you lack:
Go, log out of your accounts,
sell your assets,
give the proceeds to those with nothing,
then come follow me.
Leave behind your identity as a builder,
and become a servant.”
Caleb’s face fell.
He didn’t speak.
He didn’t argue.
He simply stared at the screen,
closed the app,
and returned to his life of scheduled meetings and luxury silence.
He wanted purpose, but not at the price of control.
The teacher turned to his followers and said:
“How hard it is for those with wealth to enter the kingdom of heaven.
It’s easier for a Tesla to fit through a USB port than for a rich man to let go of the world he built.”
But when the crowd asked, “Then who can be saved?”
The teacher smiled and whispered,
“With man, it is impossible.
But with God, all things are possible.”
Reflective Questions:
- What “wealth” are you clinging to?
- (Not just money, status, identity, control, comfort?)
- Would you still follow truth if it meant giving up everything that made you feel successful?
- Is your generosity transactional, or transformational?
- Are you seeking eternal life, or just a version of it that doesn’t disrupt your current lifestyle?
- What identity are you unwilling to lose?
- What if the real test isn’t how much you give, but how much you’re willing to leave behind?
This is not a parable about hating money.
It’s about trusting where your treasure is.
And whether you're willing to follow even when it costs you everything you built to feel safe.
