A math teacher and a pastor went to heaven the same day. St. Peter met them at the gate and welcomed them profusely. To the math teacher, he said, “Let me show you to your new home.” They went to a large house with beautiful rooms, fine furniture and the latest electronic toys.
Then he took the pastor to his one room, a monastic cell. The pastor complained, “I don’t understand! All my adult life I have served God and this is the thanks I get! What did the math teacher do to deserve such treatment?”
St. Peter replied, “Whenever you preached, some people in the congregation always went to sleep. Whenever the math teacher taught, everyone in his class would begin to pray.” .
A certain wealthy man had never cared much for spiritual matters in his life. However, during his final illness, he did begin to consider eternal affairs. Unfortunately, he brought the same approach to them he had used in much of his business. He sent for the pastor and told him, “Pastor, you’ve been here a long time. You know I’ve never cared much for church matters. But I’m very sick, about to die, and I want to be sure of my eternal destination. Do you suppose if I gave $1,000,000 to the church, and $100,000 to you personally, I would go to heaven?
The pastor considered carefully for a moment, the replied, “Well, I can’t be too sure, but what have you got to lose? It’s worth a try!”
