The rich young ruler came to Jesus, the “good teacher” to ask how he could inherit eternal life. He was, by all external measures, a moral and upright man. His quest seemed noble and godly. But his interaction with Jesus revealed his true nature. He was looking to add to his wealth and his righteousness, his good life in the world, the confirmation of a good life in eternity. He wasn’t looking for the true source of goodness, for which he would be willing to give up everything else. He was looking to validate his self-righteousness. When Jesus asked him to sell all that he had, give it to the poor, and to follow him the rich young ruler “became very sad, because he was very wealthy.”
