completely on the grace

I'm going to suggest a novel interpretation of Matt19:16-30 (or perhaps it's simply novel to me). I've always read the story of the rich young ruler as a caution against wealth, and have heard it preached as such. v21 has been held up as proof of Christ's love for the poor and His desire to assist them. And while His heart for the poor is fact, I don't believe that is what this story is actually about. Rather, it's about whole-hearted devotion to God.

When the rich young ruler goes away grieving, Christ states that it is tough for a rich man to get into Heaven. His point is that wealth is too often too big a priority in people's lives. But imagine the scene differently. If an obese person had been in place of the rich young ruler, perhaps Christ would have instructed him to eat less and give all of that food to the poor. And that man goes away grieving and the warning is against gluttony. If a ruler with a harem had come before the Lord, perhaps Christ would've instructed him to send away all his wives but his first, and command the others to serve in the temple. And that man goes away grieving and the warning is against polygamy.

Point is it is not wealth that is the issue in the story; it is whatever idol holds greater sway than Christ in your life. It is why in v27 Peter remarks that they have given away everything to follow Christ. They have literally chosen God over all things. Your career, your family, your material things, your own talents and gifts, your heart, soul, strength, and mind -- Christ wants all of that, all of it. Otherwise, prepare for that headshake and comparisons to dromedary needlepoint.