Main Character or Neighbor
Have you ever heard of Main Character Syndrome (MCS)? It’s that thing on social media where people act like they’re the star of the movie and everyone else is just an extra. Funny thing is… it’s not just “them.” If I’m honest, I catch myself slipping into MCS sometime talking without really listening, subtly trying to control my environment, secretly prioritizing my feelings above everyone else’s.
In Mark 10:17–22, Jesus meets a guy who was the ultimate “main character.” The Bible calls him the Rich Young Ruler. That’s all we know rich, young, and in charge. He’s got money, influence, status, and a reputation. He’s the guy you’d see on the cover of a magazine. And yet, the Bible never gives us his name. Think about that: history remembers him for what he owned, not who he was.
This man runs up to Jesus with a great question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He’s hungry. He knows something is missing. He’s got everything money can buy, but he’s still empty.
Jesus answers by pointing to the commandments about how we treat people: don’t steal, don’t lie, honor your parents. The ruler says, “I’ve kept all these since I was young.” In other words, “I’ve done the checklist.” But then Jesus drops the heart of the matter: “Go, sell what you own, give to the poor, and follow Me.”
And here’s the tragic part: he walked away sad.
Why? Because he valued his stuff more than people. He wanted salvation without surrender, heaven without humility, God without neighbors.
Let’s be real we’re not so different. Compared to most of the world, we are the “rich young rulers.” We’ve got houses, cars, phones, closets full of clothes, and schedules jammed with activity. But if we’re not careful, our stuff will blind us to our neighbors.
Here’s the invitation Jesus gives us instead:
Be present. Don’t just scroll past people see them. Put the phone down, listen deeply, create margin for God’s interruptions.
Care for others. Compassion isn’t a feeling; it’s action. Show up. Lend a hand. Speak life. Notice someone carrying weight and carry it with them,
Use what God has given you to help. Your time, your resources, your story even your pain, it’s all on loan from God, meant to be leveraged for others.
The Gospel isn’t about losing. It’s about gaining. Jesus isn’t trying to take from us He’s trying to free us. He gave up heaven’s riches to meet us in our poverty. He became a servant, not the main character, so we could be written into His eternal story.
The rich young ruler walked away sad. You don’t have to. Open your hands, release what can’t save you, and grab hold of the only One who can.
Question to consider this week:
Am I living like the main character of my own movie, or like a neighbor in God’s bigger story?