A man once had a dream in which an angel came to him and
led him to the doorway of a very large room.  The room was
completely filled with a huge, round table, with hundreds of
people sitting around it.  Each person was holding a
long-handled dipper, and there was an enormous bowl of food
in the center of the table.  Everyone could dip food out of the
bowl; but because they were sitting so close to each other,
and so close to the walls of the room, no matter how hard they
tried, they couldn't manipulate their long-handled dippers to
bring the food to their mouths.
     The aroma of the food was very tantalizing; and as time
passed, the hungry people became tremendously frustrated
and irritated.  Tempers were very short; and they started yelling
and using profane and obscene language, because they were
unable to feed themselves.
     Then the angel led the man to the doorway of a second
room, which was identical to the first room in size and situation.
The man looked, and behold, the people were talking and
laughing joyfully.  As he watched, he noticed the reason for their
pleasantness.  One would fill his dipper with food, and offer it to
someone whom he could reach.  Thus, everyone shared with
others, everyone got fed, and no one was hungry.
     Then the man asked the angel, "What is the meaning of
these things which you have shown me?"
     The angel replied, "The first room you saw is one small
example of what hell will be like.  Those who go there will take
their selfishness with them; and, therefore, they must bear the
frustration, irritation, and other consequences of it forever!
The second room you saw is a small example of what heaven
will be like.  The people were happy and joyful because of their
sharing with each other."
     Now here are my closing comments.  The most important
thing, of course, is to trust in Jesus; but those who will turn
away from selfishness and will share with others, will find
increased joy and blessing.
David