We all know the saying, “You can’t take it with you.” Well, there’s an old story about an extremely rich man who was a believer in Jesus Christ and loved the Lord, but lamented that when he died he’d be leaving the fruits of his labors behind. But then, one night while he slept, he dreamed the heavens opened, a light filled the dark room, and a voice spoke, saying, “My son, you have served me well and faithfully. I am making an exception in your case. When it is time for you to climb that holy hill, you may bring one suitcase with you.”

            When the man awoke, he rejoiced. He filled a suitcase with gold bricks and left it beside his bed. One night, as he slept, he let go of the bonds of this earth, rose and found himself at the foot of a great mountain, surrounded by pilgrims, singing hymns and climbing towards the summit. At his side was his suitcase. With two hands he tugged. He discovered it was no joke to drag a suitcase full of gold bricks uphill. He had no breath for hymns, no energy for joy, nothing but his determination to drag that suitcase up to heaven. It seemed to take an age for him to climb, but at last, he made it. At the pearly gates he was greeted by the angel Gabriel, who looked a little surprised, and asked, “What’ve you got there?”

            “A voice from heaven told me I could bring a suitcase with me when I died.”

            Gabriel shrugged. It was a new one on him. “Well, that’s a first. Open it up. I’m curious to see what you brought.”

            His hands trembling from exhaustion, the man struggled with the suitcase, which then broke apart. Gold bricks fell in all directions. The Angel Gabriel looked just a little puzzled. “Why would anybody want to bring pavement?” he asked.

Not what. Who?

            I guess we’ll assume it’s true that you can’t take it with you, but today, on All Saints Day, we’re more interested not in what y

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