$30,000.00 for a Box of Bread

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Mr. Aitken of London tells this story of a solemn incident that took place at sea years ago: “A friend of mine was returning to England from Australia, when a fire broke out aboard ship and they had to abandon her. The only two lifeboats were lowered into the sea, and soon all the passengers had found room. One of the boats was quite large and capable of taking plenty of food as well. The other boat was much smaller, and in the confusion of salvaging what they could, a few boxes of gold were loaded into it. However, it was soon discovered that the smaller boat had no food, only gold. On the other hand, the larger boat had no gold but all the foodstuff.
Toward evening they encountered a storm and it was evident that bore morning the boats would be far apart. My friend will never forget that moment! Four of five sailors in the smaller boat held up a box of gold and shouted for all they were worth: ‘Fifteen thousand pounds ($30,000.00) for a box of bread.’ But all were helpless; the boats were already separating. Gladly would those in the larger boat have made the trade, but they could not! IT WAS TOO LATE!”
Dear reader, does not this remind us of the worthlessness of gold, or money, in comparison with the “bread of life”? God’s Word tells us “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36,3736For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36‑37).
The world, like the ship on fire, is soon to sink. When the day of grace ends, all the shouting, like that of the sailors, will be of no use. And what about those who have neglected “the bread of life” while it was available? They will perish in their sins. In view of this we plead with you, do not put off the salvation of your precious soul any longer. “Be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:2020Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20). “Flee from the wrath to come.” Matthew 3:77But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (Matthew 3:7).
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord; and they shall wander from sea to sea,... they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.” Amos 8:11,1211Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: 12And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it. (Amos 8:11‑12).
The Lord Jesus says, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread (receive Him by faith into his heart,) he shall live forever.” John 6:5151I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. (John 6:51). Again, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst... and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:35,3735And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (John 6:35)
37All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37).
ML 05/19/1968