Have You Quit Yet?

We mentioned a man at Thursday night's poker tournament whose unofficial motto was: "I give up, and then I win."

He may have meant it as a joke, but the idea is a good one. How can we say that? Because....

For whoever wants to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for me shall find it. - Matthew 16:25

This is one of those quotes from Jesus which can puzzle a lot of people. The idea is to realize there's more to life than, well, this life. Jesus put it another way:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 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 6:19-20

You can win every bracelet at next year's World Series of Poker, amass billions of chips and dollars -- but when you die, those things will be worthless in "the grave, where you are going" (Ecclesiastes 9:10). It's better to give up any pursuits in this life which come between you and Christ. That's because a right relationship with Christ will lead to eternal life.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which me must be saved. - Acts 4:12

We heard a sermon this weekend which mentioned anything which takes your time and attention away from God is an idol. If poker is that way for you, maybe it's time to make something else the top priority in your life -- or better put, Someone.