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Why is St. Anthony making salvation as if it depends solely on works? That is what I read in this quote. Mind you, he is talking to a sect of people who have already relinquished their lives. He is not talking to common laymen. Even if he were talking to common people, he is still putting so much stress on works. Also, the wording "all nature of earthly possessions," people possess the house they live in and the clothes they wear, and so forth. Also: "you cannot be saved" is just making it depend on us. Of course, we cannot be saved.

"Unless each one of you shall hate all nature of earthly possessions, and renounce it and all of its works with all your heart, and stretch out the hands of your heart to heaven to the Father of all, you cannot be saved." (St. Anthony the Great)

St. Anthony was a great saint of incredible depth, wisdom, and insight. His message which resonated with so many of his disciples was a message of detachment from the temporary and perishable material world. If you recall, when Satan tried to tempt our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:11-11), the only things he held in his power were the vanities, glories, and indulgences of the world. Satan uses items in the world as weapons to seduce the human soul. Since Satan understood that humanity's frailty was prone to longing for these means of satisfaction, Christ taught us that by rejecting them in His name, we regain our souls and are liberated from the unnecessary chains of the world. This was the message which enlightened many to the Monastic Movement through St. Anthony. Asceticism was pursued by many who chose to live in mountains, caves, and dens. These men and women resembled people like Daniel the prophet and the three saintly youth who rejected to eat from the king's delicacies and their appearance became far more gallant than those who indulged in the pleasures of the world.

"For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world" (1 John 2:16).

Today, people are enticed with possessing more and more, bigger and bigger, better and better, so that debts mount and mount, and they work more and more, and the chains get stronger and stronger, and on and on. At best, God may eventually only become a part of the goal when the ultimate goals are attached to worldly vanities. Unless the individual remains vigilant about the presence of God and his/her eternal life, it is easy to become consumed by this trap and stray farther and farther away from God. St. Anthony is not just promoting monasticism, but advocating for each one to place his/her glories at the feet of Christ, whether they come in possessions or wealth, these are to be used wisely for the glory of God and to not have dominion over you. Thus, when you detach yourself from the chains of the foolish tools that bind you, you escape Satan's tight grip and regain your soul.

In the excerpt inclusive of the phrase you quoted, St. Anthony further explains his plea:

  

"Truly, my children, I speak to you as to wise men, that you may understand what I say to you, and this I testify to you: unless each one of you shall hate all nature of earthly possession, and renounce it and all its works with all his heart, and stretch out the hands of his heart to heaven, to the Father of all, he cannot be saved. If he do what I have said, God will have pity upon him for his labor, and grant him that invisible fire which will burn up all impurity from him. And our principal spirit will be purified; and then the Holy Spirit will dwell in us, and Jesus will abide with us, and so we shall be able to worship God as we ought. But as long as we have peace with the natures of the world, we are enemies of God and of His angels and of all His saints.

Now therefore, my beloved, I beseech you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, not to neglect your salvation, that this transitory life may not deprive you of eternal life, nor the skin of a corruptible body deprive you of the kingdom of light ineffable, nor a guilty seat lose you the angelic thrones of judgment. Truly, my children, my heart is in wonder and my spirit in terror, that we all take our pleasure like drunkards on new wine; for each one of us has sold himself of his own free choice, and we are dominated of our own free choice, and we are not willing to lift up our eyes to heaven, to seek the glory of heaven and the works of all the saints, and to walk in their footsteps."