There is a story about a rich old man who lived in a small town and who was well known to all its inhabitants. He had no living relatives and when he died, the townsfolk were surprised and astonished to learn that his funeral was scheduled to be held at 2 a.m.

Even though he was held in high esteem by all who knew him, his request to have his funeral take place in the wee hours of the morning caused most of them to decide to forego attending his service. A few did set their alarms and were present at the funeral. He had instructed his attorney to be sure that the names of all those in attendance were recorded. A few days later when his will was read, they were all surprised to learn that he had left his entire estate to those few who had been present at his funeral. He explained in his will that he believed his true friends would put themselves out to attend, and so he wanted his money to be equally divided among those faithful few who thought enough of him to go to his 2 a.m. funeral. Those few people were all instant millionaires and those who had thought about going, but did not bother to get up in time to attend, were filled with remorse.

Do we love the Lord Jesus Christ enough to put ourselves out for him? It is not always convenient to put him first in our lives. Serving him means that we are constantly doing things and going places that we would not do or go, if it were not for the fact that we love him so much.

The reading of this man’s will put everyone in town into one of two groups – a very small group who were rewarded beyond their fondest expectations and a large group who then realized that they had been excluded because of their own refusal to make a personal sacrifice for their departed friend.

At the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, we will also be divided into two groups. One small group on the right and a large group on the left. What will be the difference between the two groups? The only picture we have given us of the judgment seat by our Savior depicts him explaining to each group why they have been placed either on the left or right. The group on the right really did put themselves out for him. The group on the left did not. Each group is surprised. ”When saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

We need to remember that we are paying the highest price it is possible to pay, if we neglect serving others to please ourselves. We are paying for it with our eternal life which will be forfeited because we thought more of our own wants and desires than we did of the Lord’s.

If the people in town had known the contents of the will, they would have all been at the funeral. We have an advantage because we have been given a warning of what we should be doing to prepare for the coming of the Son of God. We do not know the day or the hour of his coming but we know He is coming. ”Watch and pray... lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”