[skeeter]

My understanding of the 'camel through the eye of a needle' metaphor had to do with the pride of the wealthy rather than the possession of wealth itself.

The 'eye of the needle' was an entrance to the temple that was made purposely small so that those who passed through would necessarily bow upon entering. A wealthy man too proud to come down off of his camel would never be able to pass through.

[Salvation]

And warriors on horses or camels could not pass through the needle sized doorway.

Good defense mechanism — very simple.