By Woody Dahlberg

Frank looked at his beautiful wife and smiled as he thought of the diamond necklace he had purchased for her birthday. Tomorrow he would give it to her and all her friends would know how wealthy they were. But right now, all he wanted to do was go for a drive around the neighborhood to show off his new classic Cadillac. He enjoyed his wealth and loved showing off his prosperity.

Frank walked out of his house into his spacious yard maintained by his grounds keeping service. He looked back at the mansion he had built in an exclusive gated neighborhood. The hardwood craftsman trim looked deep and rich in the morning light. 

He turned to go into the garage to get the Cadillac when he felt a sudden pain in his chest. In moments, he was on the ground clinging to his ribs and gasping for air. He wanted to cry for help, but all he could do was gasp for breath.

He heard his wife scream and come running. Kneeling beside him, he heard her yelling into her phone, “Help, please help! Yes, send an ambulance fast. I think Frank’s having a heart attack.”

Those were the last words on earth Frank heard.

The next moments were quiet as he lost consciousness. Then he saw a dim light in the distance. He felt himself moving in the direction of the light that was growing in size and brightness. Suddenly, he was propelled past the light and exploded into eternity.

He had prepared for this day. He had said the words, “Jesus, I accept you.” He had attended church most Sundays, missing only occasionally for a golf game or to go hunting. He was ready to claim his inheritance, to walk into the eternal city of riches.

He smiled to himself as he approached Heaven’s Pearly Gate, the entrance to eternal bliss. The gate was open, and looking past it, he saw the streets of gold and gem covered houses. The great wealth displayed beyond mesmerized him and he could hardly wait to enter, establish himself, and claim his mansion.

While he was admiring the golden beauty and ready to boldly announce his presence so he could accept his inheritance, a young boy walked out of the gate and stepped up beside him. He was dressed in rags, smelled like he had come out of a slum, and looked malnourished. He wore no shoes. He was carrying a book in his left hand and a pen in his right. He lifted the book and the pen up to the man.

“Would you be so kind as to autograph this book?” the boy said.

The man stared disdainfully at the kid. “You look pathetic. How did you ever get into Heaven? Why should I sign your stupid book? You’re obviously of no value, and I am about to enter into paradise to claim my reward. No, I won’t sign your stupid book.”

The boy cried. “Please sign the book,” he said. “Please,” he pleaded again.

“No! Shut up. You are distracting me from my goal,” Frank yelled at the child.

The boy stepped to the side, walked back to the gate, and humbly continued through the entrance to the other side without looking back. He handed his book to an angelic looking person standing on the golden street inside the entrance. This person wore an expensive looking white suit, stood tall, and appeared to have great authority. The gate immediately shut behind the boy.

Frank was disgusted at the boy’s arrogance, but was awed by the presence of the man inside the gate. He stood as tall as he could while walking up to the magnificent gate and said, “I am here and stand worthy to enter into paradise to claim the eternal wealth I have believed in all my life. In the name of Jesus, I come to claim my eternal mansion and position in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

“I am Saint Peter,” the person in the shining white suit nodded his head and said. “Let me check the Book of Life to see if you are listed therein.” He then searched every page of the book the young boy in rags had given him to see if he could find Frank’s name.

 “I’m sorry sir, I don’t see your name anywhere in this book. You may not enter.”

Frank was mad at the decision of the gate guard. He was furious at the child as he was directed to the broad road leading to the eternal poverty of the City of Hell. Upon entering the City of Hell, he looked around and saw many others who appeared to have been wealthy in their former life, but none would ever be his friend. Arrogance and hate filled the air. All the residents of this place competed to outdo every other person. There were no streets of gold, no hope of eternal joy, and no love.

From the gates of this city, Frank could see the Golden Gates to the Kingdom of Heaven. Anger filled his heart again as he thought of the child who had asked for his signature in his book. That pitiful little child; if only he had signed his stupid book, he would be in Heaven now, enjoying its wealth, instead of in this putrid place. 

I guess wealth is my God, Frank thought. No one can take that away from me. He turned to walk down the dreary lane that led deeper into the city.

Why am I getting so hot?

* * * *

This story is not meant to imply no rich people will enter into Heaven, but that there is an attitude of making money their god or seeing themselves as their god that will keep many out of Heaven. In fact, we read in Matthew 27:57-60, Jesus’ body was placed in the tomb of a rich man, Joseph of Arimathea, who had become a follower of Jesus.

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
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