What a fine day for fishing! Two brothers, George and Tom, waited patiently for a bite as they stood and fished on the shore of Grigg’s Dam in Columbus, Ohio. Both were policemen, and this was their day off. They were enjoying the warm sun on their backs and the relaxation of the sport, but neither of them had caught a fish. George suggested they try moving to the rocks above the falls. Fish were known to be more plentiful in that area, so they moved up to the new spot and cast out their lines once again.
Tom, the younger of the two, had an expensive new fishing rod which he had just purchased the day before. Today he was using it for the first time, and he expected to be able to pull up the largest fish with it. Tom was quite proud of his new rod.
Ask yourself this question: What do you value most in life? Are you working only for yourself and for things that money can buy? Everything that can be bought with money will be destroyed. God says in the Bible that “heaven and earth shall pass away,” and this includes everything that you can see or touch. The Lord Jesus Christ said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (destroy), and where thieves break through and steal.” Matthew 6:1919Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (Matthew 6:19). He told His followers to store up treasures for themselves in heaven. How do we do that? We shall see, but first let us continue our story.
Just as they had hoped, George and Tom started catching fish in the new spot on the rocks. They fished for about an hour and then noticed that the water level was rising. George packed up his fishing gear to leave, but Tom decided to stay a little longer. George warned Tom about the rising water, but it did not change Tom’s mind. He was enjoying using his new rod so much that he simply did not want to stop fishing! Worried, but knowing how stubborn his brother could be, George climbed back up from the rocks and returned to shore.
It wasn’t too much longer until Tom realized the water was now up to the level of the rocks! He could not climb back the way George had gone, because the water was now all around him. He was on an island of rocks in the middle of the river.
Suddenly, he heard someone shouting from the shore. It was George who, having seen that Tom’s return route was cut off, had gone for help. The fire department had answered the emergency call. One of the men threw a rope across the now rushing water to the rocks where Tom was trapped.
“Quick! Grab the rope!” Tom was told.
Tom reached out using the hand that was not clutching the fishing rod, but he missed. Again the rope was thrown to him... this time he caught it.
“Now let go of your rod, tie the rope around your waist, and we’ll pull you in!” was the next command.
Tom knew he was in danger, but he would not let go of his new fishing rod. Instead, he just grabbed the rope with one hand, still clutching his “treasure” with his other hand.
Is there something you are clutching that keeps you from trusting in the Lord Jesus? Is it sports, or getting good grades, or your friends at school? You must let go before it is too late, or you will never be saved.
For Tom is was too late. He could not hold the rope tightly enough with only one hand, and as they pulled him in through the fast-moving water, he went under once... twice... and finally lost the rope altogether. The third time Tom disappeared under the surface he did not come up again. It was too late!
We hope you won’t be like poor Tom who wouldn’t let go. The Lord Jesus is calling to you to depend upon Him for your salvation. He came to this earth and died on the cross for your sins. He shed His blood to save you. Now He is a risen Saviour, waiting to take each boy and girl who trusts Him to be with Him forever in heaven. This is the real treasure. Won’t you take it now?
ML-03/06/1983