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The
Janitor
and the CEO
By
Buck Jacobs
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 here
once lived a janitor who worked for the same company for 40
years. He never rose above the position of janitor and never
had anyone report to him. He never owned a home, never had an
investment, never bought a new car.
But he was a fine janitor. With
the highest standards, he maintained all of the areas for which
he was responsible. The brass shone, the windows glistened,
the carpets were never left dirty. He would occasionally be
seen on his hands and knees, with a toothbrush, cleaning the
corner where the floor meets the tile wall. And through it all,
he always had a smile and a cheerful good word for his co-workers.
After he retired, several folks remarked that they had never
once heard him complain.
Over the 40 years, from time to
time, he would be asked, “How come you work so hard? You
don’t really have to put in all that extra effort.”
He would answer, “You don’t understand. I’m doing
this work for Jesus and for Him it has got to be good. You see,
He is my best friend. I love Him and owe Him my best because
He gave His life for me.”
Some of these people laughed and
just passed on. But some said, “Jesus? Your friend? I don’t
know about that. How can Jesus be a friend? I don’t know
Him in that way.”
The janitor would smile when this
happened, and no one could miss the love in his eyes when he
answered, “Well, let me tell you about me and Jesus.”
He was never too busy to share how the love of his Lord had
touched his life.
In this same company there was
another man who had worked there for 40 years, starting his
career at the same time as the janitor. He had attended a fine
university and had done well, working hard and making good grades.
He joined the company as a salesman right out of college and
quickly became the top salesman in his |
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department.
In record time he was promoted, becoming the youngest sales
manager, regional manager, vice president of sales, and ultimately,
the youngest CEO the company had ever had.
Under his leadership, the company
grew and expanded, eventually becoming an international leader
in its industry. The firm acquired other companies, and under
his shrewd and wise direction, these companies prospered as
well. |
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Because
of his obvious skills, gifts, and success, he was often asked
to speak to organizations and groups. Even other CEOs would
visit and inquire how he had done so well. He always gave the
same answer, “Opportunities in this country are limitless,
and I’ve worked very hard. What I have done, you can too
if you believe you can and give your all.”
He was also active in many civic
organizations and government advisory panels. He was elected
to the board of regents of his alma mater and was a respected
member of a fine church. He and his family could be seen every
Sunday morning seated in the fourth row for the 11 AM service.
But Sunday had little to do with
Monday. When he had been young, his father had told him, “Son,
there are two things you cannot mix with your business: politics
and religion. They are like oil and water.” It never occurred
to him to question his father’s advice. Deep in his heart
it didn’t seem right, but he never gave it much thought.
In fact, he was so busy that God was crowded out of much of
his life. With the business, the cottage at the beach, the club
memberships for golf and tennis (when he could find time), and
trying to fit in family ski trips between board meetings, his
time—and his life—flew by. Widely revered by multitudes,
he retired after a long and successful career.
It happened that both men died
on the same day, and as the Bible promises in 1 Corinthians,
chapter 3, each man in turn went to stand before Jesus and give
an account of what he had done with his life. The CEO went first,
as usual.
Jesus put His hand on the CEO’s
shoulder and said to him, “My son, you have done well with
your life. I gave you intelligence and opportunity. You worked
hard and you took advantage of all that I set before you. You
accomplished much. But son, all that you built must remain behind.
Your homes and cars, your company and clubs were good, but they
are not a part of My Kingdom. Your money is not needed here.
My son, you labored long and hard, but unwisely. You have gained
the good, but missed the best.”
The janitor stood humbly nearby,
fearful and in awe. If a CEO could receive no commendation from
the Lord, what could a mere janitor expect? His eyes were cast
down and tears covered his cheeks as Jesus put His hands on
his shoulders. “Son, lift your eyes.” The janitor
looked up into the face of the Lord he loved. The smile on Jesus’
face caused a thrill to leap through the janitor’s heart,
and in astonishment he heard Jesus say, “Turn around, son,
and tell Me what you see.”
With the Lord’s strong arm
around his shoulders, the janitor turned. To his amazement,
he saw crowds of jubilant people coming toward him. Their expressions
reflected a pure love and joy that he had never seen. He turned
to Jesus and said, “Lord, I recognize only a few. Who are
the others?”
Jesus said, “Those you recognize
are the ones you told of My love. The others are those they
told. They are here now to thank you. Enter into the joy prepared
for you from the foundations of the world.”
Nearby, angels sang as the janitor
was reunited with his friends and stepped into paradise.
You see, both men had opportunities,
just as you and I do. One built a fortune here, the other, there.
One fortune was temporary, the other, eternal. Both were the
result of choices. Which fortune are you pursuing? |
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