The two men stood stoic. Each looked at the other knowing the path the other would choose. Silent, they departed.
Years passed. The two men came near to the end of life. The one had achieved all for which he dreamt. Every goal met created for him an affirmation of his ability and prowess, a desire to set more goals and achieve them. Nothing seemed too distant to reach. If he thought it, he attained it. Not that any goal came with ease, but more, the harder the goal, the more he strived, the more disciplined and thoughtful his approach. His motto became, “Don’t let it beat me.” And nothing ever did. He thought, “I am truly blessed.”
The other, well, did not appear to achieve anything. His life became rather pedestrian and common. He possessed very little. Everything he earned he joyfully gave away. Soon, fortune turned his life. Losing all he had, he became homeless, wandering the streets and begging for daily bread. Some days he could only go without. Before long, with his countenance emaciated, his eyes gaunt, and his face chiseled by the sun’s heat and life’s rebuttal, he was unrecognizable. He appeared as any other homeless person, a personification of despair. And yet, he continued to give away all he had.
On the same day, the two men died.
The two stood together again. The “blessed” man looked at the homeless man but did not recognize him. He thought, “Something must be wrong with this man. Surely, he could have pulled himself up from his bootstraps. He is a pitiful sight.” Comparing himself to the poor man, he thought, “I am glad I was so capable.”
Recognizing the rich man, the homeless man remained silent. He began to think to himself…no…he began to pray. His prayer was simple, “Lord, have I done enough? Have mercy on me for not doing more.”
Then, the angel Truth appeared. To the rich man he said, “Before you is a chest containing your life. Lift it, and you shall have been found worthy and enter Heaven.” The rich man saw the chest. It was small. He thought, “I can lift this with ease. Nothing ever prevented me from reaching a goal. I am more than capable and am surely worthy.” But looking at it, he said to himself, “Why is it so small?”
To the homeless man, the angel said, “Before you is a chest containing your life. Lift it, and you shall enter Heaven.” The homeless man stared at the chest. It was very large and he knew he could not lift it, as his strength had withered away. He thought, “Why is it so big? My life was only invisible to all who passed by. What but little I did achieve.”
The time came. With all his might the rich man tried to lift the chest and could not. The homeless man lifted his box with ease. Then, the two departed again, each knowing their path.
“So is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21, NKJV).