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JOLLY JOE, THE LIFE INSURANCE
SALESMAN
Joe
Gaines was a charming and likeable fellow. Because
of his congenial disposition, his companions nicknamed him
Jolly Joe. He was a representative of the Gilt
Edge Life Insurance Company where he worked for a salary plus
a commission, if his sales exceeded a modest
figure. This gave him an incentive to seek more
business and additional income. Life looked very
inviting for the future of Joe Gaines
Jolly Joe
lost no time in making his presence known when he took charge
of the new branch office in the bustling town of
Camchat. He was delighted when he received an
invitation to attend a Youth Fellowship gathering at the local
church. His ready wit and his wholesome
originality delighted the members present. Jolly
Joe, with his eye for business said to himself, “What a fine
group of young people. They have all their life
ahead of them. I shall make friends with them now
and at some later time I shall speak to them concerning Life
Insurance.” As far as parties were concerned, Joe
was often in demand. He had the reputation of
being an asset to any gathering. It was common to
hear youth leaders say, “Get Joe. He’s a good
fellow and he won’t embarrass anyone by trying to sell Life
Insurance.”
Joe’s policy was to befriend youth
and keep the lines of communication open. He
reasoned that they would probably clam up if I talk to them
about signing up a contract now, even if I showed them the
advantages of having Life Insurance---they would not want to
think of dying yet. I’ll keep the lines of
communication open, and later on, I’ll try to sell them a
policy.
In the course of time one of Joe’s
business colleagues became involved with financial
difficulties. Joe was able to help him arrange his
affairs and carry on his business. Due to his
friend’s preoccupation with his problem, Joe didn’t mention
the benefit of having Life Insurance as a safe guard and an
investment. He wanted to retain the man’s
confidence, but he fully intended to try to arrange an
engagement with this in mind, later on. Just not
now!
Later on, some of his friends got together
for a coffee party. They discussed the weather and
world politics and everyone had a lovely time. No
one brought up the subject of Life Insurance,
however. Joe would have been very glad to discuss
this with anyone who was interested enough to ask about
it. “After all,” Joe reasoned, “I ought to trust
their good judgment to prepare for the eventuality of
death. After all, they know I represent the Gilt
Edge Life Insurance Company and they can come to me if they
need anything.”
Conventions can be happy times at
which much information can be shared. It was on
such an occasion that the subject of Life Insurance was on the
agenda. There was a discussion about the relative
advantages and benefits offered by competitive
companies. Joe explained the faults and weaknesses
of other companies compared with his own, even suggesting that
prospective purchasers should read the “find print” before
buying some policies. Although it was a
significant gathering from the standpoint of information, it
produced very little action and Joe’s sales in particular were
future hopes rather than present facts.
Joe had a
favorite sister who became very ill. Joe
immediately went to see her and together they reminisced of
old times. But the subject of life insurance just
failed to come up some how. His visits at the
hospital were welcomed by the nurses and doctors because Joe
spread cheer and optimism wherever he went. “But”
reasoned Joe, “If I bring up the subject of Life Insurance,
the patients will think I’ve given them up to die.
When they come out, will be a more appropriate
opportunity.” One old friend of Joe’s said,
however, “It’s alright for Joe to have his Insurance Policy,
but if it’s so important, I wonder why he hasn’t spoken to me
about purchasing one too.”
The Gilt Edge Life
Insurance Company still pays Joe his salary, although they
must be disappointed with his record of sales. If
he had used his opportunities to tell others about the
attractiveness of what the Gilt Edge Insurance Company had to
offer, he could have improved his business
manifold. From a purely business standpoint, one
wonders how long Jolly Joe will hold his position.
Normally such an attitude towards insurance would not be
tolerated by any reputable firm.
However, what
about the representatives of the Celestial Insurance
Company? What about those who offer insurance for
the life that now is, as well as for the life to
come? Do we fear to speak of this Eternal Life
Insurance, lest we offend someone, or lest we embarrass
someone. Do we spend our time ingratiating
ourselves and hoping some way, some time, to really tell
people what we have to offer. Are we, after all,
only a bunch of Jolly Joes?
We’re very much aware
that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” as
we read in Romans 3:23 and also Isaiah 53:6 which says that
“All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one
to his own way…” But notice the end of that verse
which gives the remedy, “But the Lord hath laid on Him the
iniquity of us all.” What is sometimes called The
Gospel in a Nutshell, John 3:16, says “For God so loved the
world that He gave His only Begotten Son that whosoever
believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting
life.” And, John 1:12 says, “But as many as
received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on His Name.”
Isn’t
that worth telling?
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