Taking it with you

There once was a rich man who was near death. He was very grieved because he had worked so hard for his money and he wanted to be able to take it with him to heaven so he began to pray that he might be able to take some of his wealth with him.

An angel hears his plea and appears to him. “Sorry, but you can’t take your wealth with you.” The man implores the angel to speak to G-d to see if He might bend the rules.

The man continues to pray that his wealth could follow him. The angel reappears and informs the man that G-d has decided to allow him to take one suitcase with him. Overjoyed, the man gathers his largest suitcase and fills it with pure gold bars and places it beside his bed.

Soon afterward the man dies and shows up at the Gates of Heaven and is welcomed by Gabriel. Seeing the suitcase, Gabriel says, “Hold on, you can’t bring that in here!” But the man explains to him that he has permission and asks him to verify his story with G-d.

Sure enough, Gabriel checks and comes back saying, “You’re right. You’re allowed one carry-on bag, but I’m supposed to check its contents before letting it through.”

Gabriel opens the suitcase to inspect the worldy goods that the man found too precious to leave behind and exclaims, “You brought pavement?!!”