The Three Servants

by Amaranth Rose

One day, three men who belonged to the same church died, and found themselves waiting in line in Heaven to see God. Finally, God called the first man up to the throne and said, "Tell me what you did in life with the gifts I gave you."

The man replied, "Well, I gave large sums of money every year to the church to beautify it and glorify it. Everything I had extra, I gave to the church in your name."

God sighed slightly and frowned a little. Then He turned to the Clerk Angel seated near Him at a small table and said, "This man is a tither. Send him where there are others like him, that he may not want for companions."

The Clerk Angel nodded, made a notation by the man's name, and pressed a button. Instantly a somewhat frazzled, tired-looking messenger Angel appeared and briskly led the man away.

God called the second man up to the throne and asked him the same question, "What did you do in life with the gifts I gave you?"

The man answered proudly, "Sir, I did not have much money, but I gave as much of my time as I could to serve the church and those who belonged to it. I passed the collection plate and the communion trays almost every Sunday, and did whatever was needed in the church that I could do, whenever I could."

God looked a little sad, but then He said to the Clerk Angel, "This man is a Deacon. Send him where there are others like him, that he may not want for companions."

The Clerk Angel nodded, made a notation by the man's name, and pressed a button. Instantly a somewhat frazzled, tired-looking messenger angel appeared and briskly led the man away.

Then God summoned the third man, who by this time was feeling very uncomfortable, and asked him, "Tell me what you did in life with the gifts I gave you."

The man looked down at the floor and said, "Lord, I fear I have not done much at all. I was never rich, and I spent all my spare time helping other people."

A look of keen interest came across God's face, and He asked the man, "What kind of people did you help?"

"All kinds of people, Lord. Whomever I saw who looked like they needed my help, I gave it to them. I didn't stop to think what church they belonged to, or what they looked like." The man still hung his head. "I guess I haven't been a very good servant to you in my time on Earth."

"On the contrary, man," God's voice boomed with pleasure, "You have served me very well indeed. You have taken the words of my message, which I sent to you through my son, and you have made them become flesh. You have given of yourself to all people without thought of becoming prominent or renowned. You have raised up the lowly and shown kindness to people others often overlooked. You have given life and meaning to the words, 'Love ye one another'. There aren't very many of your kind here, but I'm sure you'll find them good company." And He turned to the Clerk Angel and said, "This man is a Saint. Take good care of him."

The Clerk Angel nodded, made several notations beside the man's name, and blew loudly on a horn which hung from his belt. Instantly, several Angels appeared and led the astonished man away through a great crowd that had suddenly gathered near the throne.