The thought of death came too late for an American Civil War general and a Soviet head of state. A. Death gives us the Big Picture. We like paychecks and income, and flinch at our tithe. But on April 15 you reject the income and rejoice at the tithe. In eternity, we will remember the acts of kindness and love, and we will be glad we took the time to do them.
Death filters our priorities.
B. It filters our passions. I don't think so. It encourages us to grow in grace and holiness. Thomas Kempis agreed with this way of looking at things. The thought of avoiding hell should alone cause you to be reformed.