There was once a man who joined in the gold rush and went to California. After some time he decided to go back East again. As he and others were crossing the Mississippi, their boat struck a rock and sank not far from shore. Those who could swim swam to shore and were saved. Some, however, were drowned.
Among those drowned was the man we have been telling about. He was a good swimmer. They could not understand why he had drowned.
When his body was recovered, they discovered that around his waist he wore a belt. To the belt were fastened bags filled with gold nuggets. The weight of the gold had carried him down to a watery grave. Could he not have taken off the belt and saved his life? It seems he did not want to give up his gold, until it was too late.
How many thousands there are like that poor man. They are more attached to earthly riches than heavenly things. But, “what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:3636For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36).
ML-09/12/1976