Did you hear the one about the fellow who had worked so hard for so long to build a successful company and personal portfolio and who was perturbed over having to leave everything behind when he died? The wealthier he got, the more disturbed he became. So one night he prayed with unusual fervour.

“God, I need to take something with me,” he said. “I’ve worked so hard for all this, so please, please let me take some of it to heaven.”

To his surprise, he heard God’s voice respond. “No,” came the answer. “It is forbidden to bring the things of your Earth-life to heaven.”

“But, please!” He begged. “May I bring just one suitcase with the things that matter most to me?”

“All right,” God said. “But only one.”

So the man set about disposing of all his holdings and converting everything into gold bricks. He packed a suitcase with millions and millions of dollars in gold and stashed it under his bed. The night came when he died, and he grabbed his piece of special luggage as he began to soar toward heaven.

An angel met him at the gate and told him that baggage was not allowed. “But I have special permission from God,” he said. “Just ask him.”

“What could possibly be so valuable?” The angel wondered aloud. “Would you please open the suitcase so I can see?”

With obvious pride, the man set the case down, snapped its heavy latches, and opened it. Beaming with joy, he waited for the angel’s response … only to see that his heavenly greeter was perplexed.

“Pavement?” Asked the angel. “You brought pavement?!”

Rubel Shelly The FAX of Life