The waves were crashing on the beach, and the boatmen were all agreed that it was far too rough to take anyone out on a tour that day. But as they were commiserating with each other on losing a day’s pay because of the weather, a young man appeared who was determined to go out. All the men refused, insisting that it would not be safe to go on the water in their small boats, but he would not be dissuaded.
He offered to pay double the usual charge, if anyone would go, and this tempted one sailor. Against his better judgment, he consented, and they both put out to sea. Hardly had they cleared the pier when a great wave swamped them and the boat was capsized and both men drowned.
Poor sailor! He thought to get two fares instead of one, but he lost both them and his life. He was trying to make the best of both worlds, as the dog in the fable who saw in the water the reflection of the meat he was carrying. Catching at the reflection, he let go the substance and lost them both.
Another man had a friend who was very kind to him. His name was Judas, and he was the familiar friend of Jesus the Saviour. Others hated Jesus and wanted to kill Him, and they wanted this Judas to sell Him to them for money.
Judas knew well the Master’s power and thought He could take care of Himself, so he agreed to sell Him to them for thirty pieces of silver. He thought to get the money, and supposed that Jesus would deliver Himself.
He got the money, but Jesus did not deliver Himself, and when Judas saw it he was overcome with remorse and brought back the money, threw it down in the temple, and went and hanged himself. He, too, had thought to make a good bargain, but he lost the Saviour, the silver and his soul!
Do you think to have the world now, and the Saviour when you must leave it? Be warned against the experiment. The “double fare” may cost you your life. Before Judas left the world he lost the silver for which he had sold the Saviour, and his soul. No man can serve two masters. . . . [You] cannot serve God and mammon [material wealth]. (Matthew 6:2424No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24).)
You may come to a moment before you leave the world when you will feel that all the things for which you bartered your soul are no longer yours to enjoy. You will be through with this world, and it will be through with you—but what about the other world? Be wise in time. Eternity is near.