A minister dies and is waiting in line at the Pearly Gates. Ahead of him is a guy who’s dressed in a hand-made English suit, a Jermyn Street shirt, an Hermes tie, and hand-lasted shoes. Saint Peter addresses the suit. “Who are you, so that I may know whether or not to admit you to the Kingdom of Heaven?”
The guy replies, “I’m Joseph Marcotti, I’ve been an investment banker all my adult life.” Saint Peter consults his list. He smiles and says to him, “Take this silken robe and golden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” The investment banker strides confidently into Heaven with his robe and staff, and it’s the minister’s turn. He stands erect and booms out, “I am Joseph Snow, pastor of Saint Mary’s for the last forty-three years.”
Saint Peter consults his list. He says to the minister, “Take this cotton robe and wooden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” “Just a minute,” says the minister. “That man was an investment banker and he gets a silken robe and golden staff. How can this be?” “Up here, we work by results,” says Saint Peter. “While you preached, people slept; while he was at work, his bosses and his clients all prayed.”