Why do you assume he was bound for salvation, Jeremiah?
He was a son of Abraham and was a conscious observer of the Law.
Thus, he was Covenant.
Also, this narrative is addressed in the synoptic gospel, that is, Mark and Luke also possess information to understand what took place:
17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18 And Jesus said unto him,
Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
19
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master,
all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then
Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him,
One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
Mk 10:17–22.
18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
19 And Jesus said unto him,
Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
21 And he said,
All these have I kept from my youth up.
22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him,
Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. Lk 18:18–22.
In Mark it says Jesus 'beheld' him and loved him. If Jesus loves 'you,' He will save 'you.' If Jesus doesn't love 'you' He will not save 'you.'
That's the Immutability of God's Love. God loves and God hates.
Another thing to notice is Jesus tells the man he lacks
one thing, and yet tells him three things to do:
Go sell all that you have,
give to the poor, and
come, follow Me.
Which of these did he lack?
Follow Me [Jesus.]
Another thing I also notice is that these are the same words given to Andrew and Peter, James and John, and Philip ("But Jesus said unto him,
Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead."
Mt 8:22 - scholars believe this was Philip Jesus was taking to.)
This is not a suggestion, but a command and a command that was obeyed, and in the case of this lawyer was soon obey, because although he had great possession, the order of the command was sell all you have, give to the poor. This would take some time.
THEN, come,
follow me.
3000 souls were saved at Pentecost. He could've been among them and his inheritance into heaven which was his concern was assured.
That's how I see it.