"And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:19-21)

William Saroyan was a man who achieved great success in the literary field. His works had been acclaimed throughout the world; his name was a familiar entry on the best-seller lists; and, he had been awarded the Pulitzer Prize. But now, he lay dying of cancer which had spread to several of his vital organs.

One evening, as Saroyan reflected on his condition and what the future held for him, he placed a call to the Associated Press. After identifying himself to the reporter, he said, "Everybody has got to die. But I have always believed an exception would be made in my case. Now what?" He then hung up the phone. (From Reader's Digest, Dec. 1981, p. 136)

We may become successful and famous in this world, but what good will it do us when we lie dying? Let us be wise and prepare ourselves so that we can be rich toward God.