There is no 'challenge'.
Jesus offers the man 'treasure in heaven'. This treasure must be vast in value, being heavenly, and also must be a righteous thing to possess, if it is 'in' heaven.
This is a truly staggering offer. Why, on earth, would anyone not desire it and drop everything to obtain it ?
Jesus asks for no works, no effort, no ability, no competence, no persistence - nothing. Just give what you have to the poor. And this immense treasure will be yours.
Whyever not do it ? What sane man would refuse ?
And then ?
Come, follow me.
. . . . . . . . What ?
Follow this One ? This 'Good Master' ?
The opportunity of a lifetime. Breathtaking.
To learn of . . . Him ! To be led, to be governed, to be instructed.
Staggering.
That the man is crestfallen and gives no response reveals volumes about himself, his true spiritual condition and his real motives in life.
And there he stands, exposed.
Not 'challenged'. He had nothing to do. All was freely offered.
He just had to release.
And that, he could not do.
So what of the tenth commandment ? Exodus 20:17.
If he gave it all away, he admits, by not doing so, that he would long, yearn and crave - to have it back again.
He can't let it go.
That is what is revealed by the wisdom of Jesus, and his perception into the soul of one who came to him, desiring to know what he might do to gain eternal life.
Eternal life is not a matter of doing anything.
It is a matter of believing on the One who has already done all to obtain it. John 3:16. 1 John 5:13. Romans 6:23. John 4:14.
And believing means yielding all to the One who is believed on. Everything.
He that forsaketh not all that he hath - cannot be my disciple, Luke 14:33.
It is all or it is nothing.
It is all . . . Him.
It is being crucified with Him, being risen with Him, being ascended with Him and being seated in the heavenlies in Him. Ephesians 2:6.
But there is nothing for the flesh to do. Nothing to boast in. Nothing to covet.
Come, follow me.
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. [Galatians 6:14 KJV]