Not So Mysterious Ways

I don't know how old this joke is, but the lesson in it holds true.

There was a flood. A man managed to make it to his roof which was above the floodwaters - for now. Someone came by in a small motorboat that had somehow managed not to be swept away and offered the man a ride to a safer place. The man refused, saying "The Lord will save me."

The rising waters were starting to reach the eves of the house when a fellow in a larger motorboat arrived and offered a ride to a safer place. Again the man refused, saying "The Lord will save me."

The water was well up the roofline when a helicopter appeared and a rescue offered. Once again the man refused, saying that "The Lord will save me." It was only minutes later that the raging flood carried the house off its foundation and crumpled it into debris, drowning the man.

At the pearly gates, the man inquired as to what had happened since surely God would have provided. "He sent two motorboats, and a helicopter. What were you waiting for?!"

My take: Divine intervention may seem appealing, but technology is far more reliable.