King Pius Won

It took about six hours of heads-up play lasting until after midnight in Las Vegas, but Pius Heinz of Germany won the World Series of Poker Main Event early today.

 

That name inspired a little poker humor for us -- about the other players trying to play "Heinz catch-up."  But it also inspired a surprising article on a poker website, reviewing the history of the champion's first name.  "Pius" has been the name of 12 Roman Catholic popes, and it comes from a Latin word meaning "dutiful to gods, state and family."

 

This leads us to a few thoughts and questions.  The first one happened to come up the other day, as we chatted during a Poker Stars.Net cash game....

 

craigdonna: poker gods suck

Dealer: Game #70206673923: cdm125 wins pot (775) with two pair, Eights and Fives

flopblogger: There's only one True God.

Dealer: flopblogger, it's your turn. You have 8 seconds to act

craigdonna: chill

Dealer: Game #70206690526: flopblogger wins pot (640)

craigdonna: get that

Dealer: cdm125, it's your turn. You have 8 seconds to act

Dealer: Regular time for player cdm125 has expired, TIME BANK has been activated

flopblogger: Well, that's why the others.... well, as you said....

craigdonna: ?

 

The Bible leaves no doubt on this topic:

 

Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods.  Rather, worship the Lord your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies. - II Kings 17:38-39

 

The God of the Bible says He's the only real one.  If you have proof of others (especially poker gods), we'd be interested in seeing it.

 

So how can we be "dutiful to" God?  What should our duty be?  The Bible helps answer that as well....

 

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. - Ecclesiastes 12:13

 

If you don't know what those commandments are, read the list in Deuteronomy 5.

You only have to change one letter in Pius Heinz's first name to get a word often used to describe believers in God.  They're described as "pious."  You won't find that word in many leading Bible translations -- but when we found in one modern version is quite revealing:

 

Jesus also taught: "Beware of these teachers of religious law!.... they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public.  Because of this, they will be more severely punished." - Mark 12:38, 40, New Living Translation

 

Jesus didn't think much of religious bluffing -- as in charades and "shows" (as the NIV puts it).  If that's your approach to matters of God, it may be time to deepen your commitment -- and look more deeply at your life:

 

Examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.  Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you -- unless, of course, you fail the test? - II Corinthians 13:5

 

Don't be "Pius" in name only.  Do your proper duty to God -- and you can win eternal life in the end.