The Eye of the Needle: Letting Go of What We Use to Measure Up

There is a story in the New Testament commonly called "the Rich Young Ruler," recorded in Matthew 19:16–30, Mark 10:17–31, and Luke 18:18–30. I want to focus on Mark’s account, which adds touching and revealing details.

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.

23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

People often weaponize this story to shame wealthy individuals or organizations. While the warning is serious, I believe the passage reveals something deeper than "rich people are bad."

When we die, we leave every possession behind. In a physical sense, no one — rich or poor — enters the Kingdom of God clutching their wealth. It stays in this world. But Jesus goes much further and deeper: “How hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!” Then comes the striking image: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

In a spiritual sense, the difficulty is profound. Wealth easily becomes our identity, security, and measuring stick for worth. When our sense of value and hope rests on what we own — or on the respect and praise our wealth brings — we develop a deep self-reliance that resists humble dependence on God. That attachment makes entering the Kingdom feel as impossible as pushing a large camel through the tiny eye of a sewing needle.

This young man knelt before Jesus, earnest and observant of the commandments from his youth. Yet something was missing. Mark tells us Jesus beheld him and loved him before issuing the radical command: sell everything, give to the poor, take up the cross, and follow Me. The man’s great possessions had become his identity and hope. Jesus prescribed the precise medicine needed to free this man from his self-made trap.

Having wealth is not inherently evil, nor is voluntary poverty a guaranteed path to righteousness. Wealth is neutral — it’s a tool and a test. The danger lies in depending on it for our happiness, significance, or standing before God. No amount will ever feel like “enough” if it’s propping up our identity. When we die, all those external measuring sticks vanish. What remains is who we are before God.

Jesus’ words were tailored to this young man’s specific heart issue. They are not a universal checklist for every believer (Jesus did not command all His followers to liquidate everything). Yet the principle applies broadly: anything we refuse to release for Christ becomes an idol that blocks our path.

“Then who can be saved?” the disciples asked, astonished. 

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:26-27)

When we let go of the need to measure ourselves by possessions, status, or achievements, we can experience the Kingdom of heaven here and now — with freedom, peace, and generosity. We become ready for eternity, when every earthly prop is stripped away and we stand before God depending solely on His grace.

We can live this way because God sees us as beings of infinite worth. As revealed in modern scripture, “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (D&C 18:10). This truth frees us from the exhausting need to prove ourselves. It also changes how we view others: we see no one as inferior to ourselves.

As I examine my own life, I need to ask myself: “Why am I worried about whether I measure up?” “How do I know that I don’t measure up?” and “How am I trying to prove myself?” Whatever I am using to try and prove myself has become an idol. Only when I let go of that idol can I truly be at peace — otherwise I am waging an internal war, with that idol as my weapon.