Caring Means Sharing

Some people (especially religious critics) say poker is a game of greed. Players try to take everyone else's chips, to win the game.

At most tournaments, the player who winds up with everything does indeed take the grand prize. The World Series of Poker (underway right now) works that way. But at smaller local tournaments, the outcome sometimes can be different.

We noted how Monday night's game at The Red Barn ended with a "first-place" prize being split three ways -- including a little for us. And we found out a recent "top 50" tourney which we missed ended with an even wider split. The $1,000 prize was divided nine ways -- as players at the final table agreed everyone there would take home $100, with the champ claiming $200.

The lesson in this? Not all poker players are as "cut-throat" and greedy as the critics say. Some very well can be -- but perhaps without knowing it, the others practice a principle mentioned in Hebrews 13:16. "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

Proverbs 22:9 adds: "A generous man will himself be blessed...." If poker players are willing to share some of their blessings with each other, what are you doing with the blessings God gives you?