The text doesn't follow that logic. The person was already a "good" person, who had followed the commands of God to be "good". Jesus simply put the question deeper...about cost and commitment. Sure you can follow a few commands, but are you ready to follow this path that isn't a bunch of commands, but true commitment. Giving to the needy is not held up in any other standard in any other text by Jesus as pre-requisite to following Him...it is Following Him. Look at all the passages that deal with giving and they are all linked to living the faith and a commitment to Him...not a pre-req. If you are rich, it seems a common issue that is a barrier...but what about the many others who came? The woman in adultery was told to "sin no more"...Peter was just called to "drop his nets" and "follow" - there are barriers to all people giving their life to God - for the rich man (why are we told he's rich?) it was his riches...the solution was not one for all people to give everything away...but to relinquish those things we hold too dear.
Read the text, in the 3 gospels it's in. There are subtle differences. The awesome revelation is that Jesus "loved" the man - He saw the faithfulness in actions previous as proof of faith and Jesus LOVED Him. He was pleased...but doing things right does not mean following Christ.
I have to weigh in on the idea of pleasing God...if Isaiah says that our "good" works are like filthy rags (the actual phrase is "menstural rags" - an absolute phrase for a society under the Levitical laws not to touch a woman's menstural blood), then there is nothing we can do that would impress God. In fact, our best efforts are still under that "uncleanness" that is sin. We can try, but we can't impress God. That's the context for the Hebrews 11 passage. It shows all types of people, including the prostitute Rahab (obviously unclean if you want to go through the laws based on her profession) who's actions are called beacons of faith and thus renowned by God.
I know it sounds reasonable that God should or shouldn't be impressed by our actions. I think by this text it says that when we do anything in faith He is impressed by the faith, not the action. There is nothing we can do that would ever mean anything to God in the action. I can draw a picture, but if there is an all-powerful God, wouldn't He understand that my picture actually sucked? Couldn't He draw a better one, or even look over the shoulder of a much more talented artist? If I am trying to impress God with my ability...that's pretty messed up - and if God was impressed with my picture, I would have to question Him as well! But He isn't impressed with our abilities...only our faith. Our faith is the one thing that God cannot replicate - He cannot disbelieve in truth (such as His own existence), but we can, and we usually do - so faith is something that we do that is something that connects us with things far bigger than we can ever do or think, and it is the only thing that "Pleases" God.
Really...this might sound foolish...but would you think a God that was impressed with our actions would be a god at all?
It is faith that makes us His children. If we become His children, there is an entirely different standard. Think of the celebrating parents when little Janie goes "boom-boom" on the potty for the first time. How silly is that? But, the parents are actually overjoyed and shower love on their child. Same for first words and first steps. The only people who don't walk or talk are people with phyical, mental or environmental issues. All others learn this somehow. It is not a monumental accomplishment, and yet it is so celebrated...why? Becasue it is not the value of the accomplishment (as is the case with the "good" deed of a believer), but the connection between the child and Parent that makes it important. Our best efforts on this earth will still amount to little more than taking a first step in the eyes of God, but that is a step much celebrated as in Luke 15
8"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins£ and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin. 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Peace,