Two Important Guests

An old preacher was dying.He sent a message for his doctor and his
lawyer, both church members, to come to his home. When they arrived,
they were ushered up to his bedroom. As they entered the room the
preacher held out his hands and motioned for them to sit, one on each
side of his bed.

The preacher grasped their hands, sighed contentedly, smiled and stared
at the ceiling. For a time, no one said anything. Both the doctor and
lawyer were touched and flattered that the preacher would ask them to
be with him during his final moments. They were also puzzled; the
preacher had never given them any indication that he particularly liked
either of them. They both remembered his many long, uncomfortable
sermons about greed, covetousness and avaricious behavior that made
them squirm in their seats.

Finally, the doctor said, "Preacher, why did you ask us to come?"

The old preacher mustered up his strength, then said weakly, "Jesus
died between two thieves; and that's how I want to go."