A church leader died and went directly to the pearly gates. Peter met him and said, "it takes a thousand points to enter, so tell me something about yourself."

"Well," the man said, "until I was twenty-one years old, I never missed Sunday school unless I was sick in bed.  I have a string of perfect attendance medals that almost reaches the floor.  I was an acolyte, active in the youth group, and I often worked around the church cutting the grass and doing other odd jobs."

"That's extremely good," St. Peter said, "That gives you one point.  Tell me something else about yourself."

"Well, I'm seventy years old," he continued, "I attended church regularly, served on the session many times, sang in the choir and was a speaker on laymen's Sunday one year.  I always gave 10% of the income you gave me to your church, and I was a lifelong church member."

"That is truly remarkable," St. Peter replied.  "That gives you another point.  Tell me something else about yourself."

By this time the man was getting a little desperate, and, if the truth be known, a little irritated.  He blurted out to St. Peter, "Look, at this rate the only way I'll ever get into heaven is by the grace of God."

"That's worth a thousand points," answered St. Peter.  "And with the two you earned, that makes 1,002.  Would you like to come in now?"