Nigeria, March 30 -- Speaking to the graduating class of Vassar College in 2001 about the vanity of wealth, Stephen King said, "We come in naked and broke. We may be dressed when we go out, but we're just as broke." Warren Buffet? Going out broke. Bill Gates? Going out broke.

If this is not startling enough, listen to a similar, but more captivating rendition of the same sentiments by Pastor John Piper, "Picture 269 people entering eternity through a disaster in the Sea of Japan. Before the crash, there are a noted politician, a millionaire corporate executive, and others. After the disaster, they all stand before God utterly stripped of Mastercards, checkbooks, how-to-succeed books, and Hilton reservations. Here are all these people wit...