The question "what good must I do to possess eternal life?" is a perennial one (v16). A misplaced priority will end with utter disappointment. Nobody wants a dissatisfied life. However, are we ready to learn from our mistakes?The heart and mind must be docile enough to be reshaped by the words of the Lord.

See the passage in Judges that details the Israelites' descent into idolatry after the death of Joshua. They abandon the Lord, worshipping the Baals and Ashtaroth, and fall under the oppression of their enemies. God, in His mercy, raises up judges to deliver them from their oppressors, but the Israelites repeatedly fall back into sin. Here, the consequences of misplaced priorities unfold. In Judges, the Israelites easily worship the false gods they can control over the true God who shapes them, hence leading to their oppression. In Matthew, the rich young ruler places his wealth over following Jesus. Thinking that it is a meritorious license for him to gain eternal life by doing things by his own efforts, the young man deprived himself of a relationship with a relatable, generous God. The difficulty of putting God first arises when material possessions become a stumbling block, this possessive attitude is an immature way of relating to God, the prime Provider.

Hence, both passages point to the basis of faith and accepting God as the active response to the question: what good will I do today?