The Three Friends
Theme: True Wealth and What Follows Us to Eternity
A wealthy man who had three dear friends fell gravely ill. Knowing his time on earth was short, he called for his friends to accompany him to the throne of the King, where he would be judged for his life.
The first friend he called was Wealth. The man had devoted his entire life to accumulating this friend. But when the dying man asked Wealth to accompany him, Wealth refused. "I am sorry," Wealth said. "The moment your eyes close, our friendship ends. I cannot take a single step past your front door."
Heartbroken, the man called his second friend, Family and Relatives. "Will you come with me?" he begged. Family wept bitterly and said, "We love you dearly, but the furthest we can accompany you is to the gates of the cemetery. Beyond the grave, you must walk alone."
Terrified, the man finally turned to his third friend, Good Deeds and Charity. He had neglected this friend most of his life, spending little time with him. "Will you come with me?" the man asked weakly.
Good Deeds smiled warmly and took the man's hand. "Do not be afraid. I will go with you all the way to the throne of the King, and I will speak on your behalf."
Reflection
We spend immense energy accumulating money and status, yet these vanish the second we pass away. Even our beloved families must bid us farewell at the tomb. The only thing we carry with us to the judgment seat of God is the love we showed to others. Live a life rich in charity, for it is the only wealth accepted in Heaven.