From Hero to Zero

The Main Event of the World Series of Poker is in a two-part "Day Two" -- due to more than 6,000 entries. We're struck by how many former champions already are at the rail.

Doyle Brunson. Chris Moneymaker. Greg Raymer. Jerry Yang. All have won poker's biggest prize, yet all of them were eliminated on their first day of play in 2011.

It only shows how fleeting fame can be. As a wise king once put it:

There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow. - Ecclesiastes 1:11

A couple of WSOP events this year actually did honor bracelet winners of old, with a "parade of champions." But some Main Event winners from decades ago don't even have pictures on the WSOP website. So can humans do anything which will have long-term value -- long after we're "dead and gone?"

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. -- Matthew 6:20

Open question: what do you think Jesus meant by that verse? Leave a comment with your thoughts; we'll offer ours in a future post.