Why Did You Do That?

We've been preparing for months for a vacation -- and preparing to play a little poker on the road along the way.  But we received a spiritual slap in the face the other day, when this came up in our Bible study:

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.... Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. - Colossians 3:2, 5

We hope to play poker well on the road.  We even dream of making some money (especially since our only financial gain from live poker in 2011 occurred on another road trip).  But if that's the main reason why we're entering a poker room, is that the right reason?  Really?

This passage and others brought us back to a question our high school drama teacher liked to ask during acting scenes: "What's your motive?"  If you're walking across the stage, why are you doing it?  Along the same lines, why are you going into a poker room?  (And even further, why make some of the betting decisions you make during a game?)

The reasons for going can be countless, of course.  But we were reminded that we should go to do poker ministry first -- thus putting God first in all we do.  As Jesus put it:

You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters.  You cannot come to me unless you love me more than you love your own life. - Luke 14:26, CEV

Regardless of polls and rankings, chip stacks and travel itineraries, God should be the number-one priority every day -- and everywhere. Where does He place in your life?