Matthew 19:16-22 (NKJV)
Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler
16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Matthew 5:48
On Being Perfect
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Jesus tells the rich young ruler how to be good...He also tells Him that only God is good...God is also the only One Perfect...Jesus knows these things...Jesus knows that money is not the answer to life, because the rich young ruler had plenty of wealth......And when we read and do our best to follow our LORD, we understand how hard it really is to be perfect and good -just as the rich young man found out...