My friend took out some money as a gift to a widow in our neighbourhood. “No, thank you!” the widow refused and walked away. In a community where poverty is high, the woman’s refusal surprised us. And as long as the widow said “No,” she did not benefit from the gift. Examples: Take another situation. It was farming season, and the farmers in our village waited for rain. When it rained, the farmers happily cultivated their farms—except one man who refused to cultivate a farm. So he didn’t benefit from the rain. Here is another example. Malaria has infected a man and he is suffering. A nurse gives him medicine for malaria and says, “Take it and drink plenty of water.” “Yes,” says the patient. But when the nurse goes away, the patient throws the medicine away. So you ask, “Why is the man still sick when medicine for his sickness has been provided?” The answer is simple: The patient has refused to take the medicine. Why not automatically? Many people have asked me this question: “If Jesus died for all of us, why are some people saved and others not saved? Why shouldn’t we all go to heaven automatically?” Isn’t the answer to this question clear? Let us ask the same question another way. Since my friend tried to give the money to the widow, why didn’t the widow have it automatically? Answer: Because the widow refused to take it! How about the farmer in our village? Since it rained, why didn’t he have a farm? Answer: Because he didn’t cultivate his farm. Everybody reaps what they sow; if you sow nothing, that is what you reap—nothing! Saved and not saved: Any gift that is not received does not benefit the person who did not receive it. That is the reason why some people are saved for heaven and others are not. Those who are saved are those who receive the gift God has given to the world. Those who are not saved are those who have refused to receive God’s gift. The free gift of God is eternal life (Romans 6:23). Eternal life is found in Jesus Christ (1 John 15:11) whom God gave to the world (John 3:16). Those who receive Christ have received God’s gift and are saved; those who refuse to receive Christ have rejected God’s gift and are not saved. The matter is as simple as that! Reasons: But why would anybody refuse such a wonderful gift as eternal life? The reasons are many. One young man told me that his friends were pulling him away from God, so if I want him to come to God then I should pray hard! Well, I am still praying for him, but the decision is his. Some people don’t believe; others postpone their decision. So, again, why are some people saved to go to heaven and others are not? The answer is obvious. It is because they have refused to receive or accept the gift. Eternal life is a free gift, but it is not automatic. Only those who receive it sincerely have it. Those who don’t receive it don’t have it. Receive it! To receive eternal life and be saved for heaven, repent, for we are all sinners. Ask God to forgive you (1 John 1:9). Invite Jesus into your heart (Revelation 3:20). If you do this, you have received the free gift of God! The choice is yours!