This would have been extremely ironic, since Roger was terminally ill and had just spent the final days of his life seeking a treasure that was meant for someone else, who would live long enough to be able to change the world.

I think that positions Luffy in a really interesting spot because he has been shedding his life span throughout the manga, like in Impel Down. It doesn't feel like a very Luffy thing to not take the one piece just because he doesn't have very long to live. I wonder if he would take whatever is on laugh tale and through sheer will power force the world to change before dying.