" Jesus saw into his heart and detected his all-consuming love of possessions. Jesus needed to dig deeper and expose his sin of covetousness. Christ saw that money was his idol. He said: ‘If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me’ (Matt. 19:21). Jesus was not saying that he could not possess money. Rather, He meant that money could not possess him. This cost was too high for this rich man. ‘But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property’ (v. 22). This young ruler turned and walked away from Christ. He loved his earthly riches more than a spiritual inheritance. He refused to abandon his old master—money—in order to receive a new Master—Jesus Christ. "
― Steven J. Lawson , It Will Cost You Everything: What It Takes to Follow Jesus