The rich young ruler possessed many things in this world. But the one thing he didn’t have and wanted really badly was eternal life. He asked Jesus how he could obtain it. He thought he could do good things to earn this. But a person can not earn eternal life or salvation. Jesus knew his heart and that he held tightly to his earthly possessions. So, Jesus challenged him to let all of that go and obey and follow Jesus. This is true saving faith. But the rich young ruler fails this challenge. He could not do it. It is not possible for man to earn eternal life and salvation. Eternal life and salvation is only possible through God if one has true saving faith & trust and follows and obeys Jesus.