An unprejudiced examination of the total exegetical unity (10:17–31) teaches us that the story of the rich young man cannot be explained as a general condemnation of riches, but must be read as proof of the position that wealth can make the following of Jesus more difficult. And the following of Jesus is the primary issue here!1
17 Comme Jésus se mettait en chemin, un homme accourut, et, se jetant à genoux devant lui: Bon maître, lui demanda-t-il, que dois-je faire pour hériter la vie éternelle?