Marcel loved to walk. Daily he would walk to the end of his street and take a left at the beach and walk until he came to the point. Depending on the tide, he picked one of his favorite boulders, sit on it and meditate about the wonders of God’s creation. There were two other things Marcel loved. He loved to help and he loved the color of gold. At work, he would never shy away from a tough problem or a disagreeable task. Some people called him a “brown-noser” but the promotions and bonuses came anyway. When someone was in trouble they called Marcel. He was the same way at church. He would do whatever was asked. Gold, for some reason, had an especially strong fascination for him. He collected gold coins and would invest small sums of money in gold futures on the commodities market.

The months passed. The years passed. The decades passed. With the passing of time, it took longer and longer to make the round-trip along the beach. Finally, it became clear, Marcel would soon die. On the last day of spring, with a fresh breeze blowing through his hair, he looked down on the beach he could no longer walk upon. He said in a clear voice, “I’m satisfied.” Then he died.

The reading of Marcel’s will started out as a somber event. Marcel had no children and his wife had passed away long before he did. But he did have plenty of nieces and nephews. Each received a monetary gift in relation to what he knew about each one and what they knew about him. Tabitha’s parents, from his wife’s side, were “no accounts” but Tabitha was a hard worker with dreams of being a surgeon. She, like Marcel, would take on any task and worked hard at everything she did. Tabitha got the large part of Marcel’s money. Dwayne, on the other hand received a single dime. But the strangest part of the will was how Marcel wanted to be buried. In the will he requested that the room be emptied of everyone but his pastor, his best friend Clyde, and the executor. Marcel wanted to be buried with a bag containing two bars of gold. He sighted Psalm 37 and Mark 11 which he said guaranteed that it would be ok.

When Marcel approached the Pearly Gates to meet St. Peter, sure enough, he found his bag of gold in his hand just as he and expected. Peter asked, “What have you in the bag?” Marcel, answered, of the most beautiful things God has ever created nothing compares with the shine and color of gold so I brought some with me. Peter retorted, “You dared to bring filthy lucre with you to the holy heavens of God?” “Not filthy lucre! Gold! Part of God’s good creation. He told us where to find the gold in Genesis 3. And in Psalms 37 he said I could have the desires of my heart. And in Mark 11, He said I could have whatever I desired. And I have more verses if you want them” Peter was shocked. No one had ever brought anything with them to heaven. So, he got on the phone and checked with the main office. “Yes, he has it in a bag. …. As a matter of fact he did mention Psalms. … Yes that one too and he says he has more. What? Ok.” Well, Marcel, you and your bag may enter.

As Marcel walked through the gates he was spellbound by the beauty of heaven and awed by the exuberant joy and sublime peace he felt. Soon, he came to some people. He felt he knew them but he didn’t. They welcomed him heartily, like twin sisters after a long separation. They immediately asked to see what he had in the bag. At first he hesitated, then he remembered where he was. He thought to himself, “Why should I be ashamed or afraid. This is part of God’s creation. And if I can’t trust my brothers and sisters in heaven then where could anyone be safe.” So, he handed the bag to a bearded man who looked like he had a lived a long time. A strange look came across the man’s face and he said, “Interesting!” Then the bag went to a younger man who smiled and exclaimed, “Astounding” Finally, the bag went to a young boy. He opened the bag and exclaimed, “Hey mister, why’d you bring pavement?” and handed the bag back to Marcel. Marcel looked in the bag then looked at the street. He was standing on the fabled streets of gold! For a moment he felt embarrassed then he let out a hearty laugh and tossed the bag to the side of the road and walked away with his new family.

Maybe you can take it with you, but why bother.

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