In View of Death

A man opens a newspaper and discovers it is dated six months in advance of the time he lives. Reading through the newspaper, he discovers stories about events that have not yet taken place. He turns to the sports page and sees scores of games not yet played. He turns to the financial page and discovers the rise or fall of different stocks and bonds.

He realizes this information can make him a wealthy man. A few large bets on an underdog team can make him wealthy. Investments in stocks that are now low but will go high can fatten his portfolio. He is delighted.

He turns the page and comes to the obituary column and sees his picture and story. Everything changes. The knowledge of his death changes his view about his wealth.

 — Haddon Robinson, “Life and Death Advice,” Preaching Today Audio, no. 200