Jesus, the Rich Young Man, and the Meaning of Life

What does it really mean to follow Jesus—and is it worth it? In a world chasing success, material wealth, and personal fulfillment, many people feel something is missing. Their hearts hunger for more. The gospel story at the center of this book reveals a profound truth: We are all searching for deeper meaning, greater purpose, and lasting joy, but too often we’re looking in all the wrong places. In Jesus, the Rich Young Man, and the Meaning of Life, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran—bestselling authors of Rebuilt and Seriously, God?—offer a powerful guide to Christian discipleship. Returning to this pivotal gospel encounter over and over, the authors teach you six transformative spiritual habits to sustain you in your quest for more: Discern God’s will and ask the right spiritual questions. Pursue what leads to lasting happiness and fulfillment. Confront the deeper desires shaping your life. Grow in discipleship and holiness. Let go of the attachments that keep you from freedom. Embrace the promise of heaven as a present reality. With pastoral insight and practical wisdom, White and Corcoran challenge the habits, attachments, and assumptions that hold you back from true freedom in Christ. This isn’t just a book about eternal life—it’s a guide to accepting that eternal life is now and learning to live as Jesus taught us right here, right now. To help you live your new life, each chapter includes questions for reflection and dialogue as well as closing prayers, making this book ideal for personal growth, Bible study, or small-group discussion. This book offers a bold invitation: God is not asking you to settle for an ordinary life—he is calling you to something greater. A life of immense purpose. A life of freedom. A life fully alive in the peace and joy of knowing Christ is here now. The question is this: Will you follow?