The story of "Everyman" is a morality play composed in the late 15th century that illustrates this primary theme: on judgment day God, the chief "accountant" of an individual's life, will only consider "good deeds" and not material possessions. We see that the arrival of "Death" throws Everyman into a worried state because he realizes his impending mortality. Everyman comes to learn that God does not put stock in material or worldly things, believing a man is morally bankrupt if these are all he possesses.
On his journey, Everyman tries to discover any number of material things or entities that he can take with him to judgment day. Fellowship, Kinsmen, Goods, and Riches cannot accompany him on this journey, however; but Knowledge is able to help Everyman make his way to Confession. It is only through Confession that Everyman is able to make penance. Overjoyed that he is forgiven and grateful, Everyman rushes back to Good Deeds and explains that worth is a measure of the degree to which one renders their soul to God and not of any material value: "Into thy hands, Lord, my soul I commend: Receive it, Lord; that it be not lost" ("Everyman", circa. 1480-1550, p. 466).
Everyman will ultimately be stripped of anything material things he values or thinks is a measure of his worth, from friends and family to material possessions and wealth. None of these are viewed as making a man worthy in the eyes of God. For in the eyes of God the only token that counts on Judgment Day is the number of Good Deeds a man can count to his credit. Once he has this epiphany and gains confession through penance, Everyman finds an inner peace and comfort and becomes prepared for his transformation from this realm to the next. He makes out a charitable will in order to leave good deeds behind him. He makes himself ready for Eucharist and Extreme Unction. During the time he prepares, Knowledge and the Five Wits explain to E...