An Old Preacher Wants To Die Between Two Greedy Men from His Congregation
An old preacher was dying. He sent a message for his banker and his lawyer, both church members, to come to his home. When they arrived, they were ushered up to his bedroom. As they entered the room, the preacher held out his hands and motioned for them to sit on each side of the bed. The preacher grasped their hands, sighed contentedly, smiled and stared at the ceiling. For a time, no one said anything. Both the banker and lawyer were touched and flattered that the old preacher would ask them to be with him during his final moments. They were also puzzled; the preacher had never given them any indication that he liked either of them. They both remembered his many long and uncomfortable sermons about greed and covetousness that made them squirm in their seats. Finally the banker said, “Preacher, why did you ask the two of us to come?” The old preacher said weakly, “Jesus died between two thieves and that’s how I want to go.”
From a sermon by Davon Huss, Three Forms of Greed, 11/16/2009