There once was a rich man who was dying. While on his death bed, he tried to negotiate with God to have God allow him to bring his earthly treasures with him to heaven.
‘God, please, I have worked so hard to accumulate all these riches. Can’t I bring them along?”
“This is very unusual,” said God, “but since you have been such a faithful steward, I will allow you to bring one suitcase.”
The man immediately had a servant fill a large suitcase with gold bricks. Shortly thereafter, he died. When he arrived at the pearly gates, he was stopped by St. Peter.
“I’m sorry sir, but you know the rule — ‘you can’t take it with you.’ You may enter, but the suitcase has to stay outside.”
“But God told me I could bring one suitcase,” the man protested.
“Well, if God says it’s O.K. — but I still need to examine the contents before you enter.”
St. Peter took the suitcase from the man, opened it, and, looking very puzzled, said to the man, “You brought pavement?”