We started this poker ministry blog in 2008 with big dreams, but admittedly small expectations. Little did we know there are other Christians with similar ideas, seemingly accomplishing much more.
We learned this weekend about a documentary called Holy Rollers, featuring a team of "card-counting Christians." The group of young men includes at least one church pastor, and their mission appears to be entering casinos and winning massive sums of money at blackjack tables (they succeed often because they can count the cards in the shoe).
All we've seen of this film is the trailer -- and just as you can't judge a book by its cover, we realize you can't judge a movie by a three-minute promotional clip. But based on the trailer and a couple of online reviews, we'll take a stab at "judging righteous judgment" (John 7:24) and making a few tentative conclusions.
1. One review says the "Church Team" tithes on its casino winnings. That's a proper Biblical thing to do.
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." - Malachi 3:10
The concept of tithing goes all the way back to Abram in Genesis 14 -- giving a tenth of your "spoil" or winnings to God. If it's considered income, we count it.
2. The Church Team gets giddy at times about the massive amounts of money it "liberates" from casinos. But is that the team's top priority -- and should it be?
Paul warned ministers should have their priorities in order:
It is true that anyone who desires to be a church official wants to be something worthwhile. That's why officials must have a good reputation.... They must be self-controlled, sensible, well-behaved.... kind and gentle and not love money. - I Timothy 3:1-3, CEV
We might make hundreds of dollars in a poker room -- but when the game is over, we personally feel guilty if we haven't done the "ministry" part. And connected to that....
3. The documentary shows a baptism (of whom we're not sure) -- but is this "Church Team" doing any witnessing to people inside the casinos?
It's one thing to take thousands of dollars out the door. But it's another to leave something behind -- at least some kind of gospel message for the casino staff or players to consider.
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead.... I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage -- with great patience and careful instruction. - II Timothy 4:1-2
Perhaps the Church Team does this when it's confronted by casino security workers. But talking too much about Jesus at a blackjack table probably would "blow their cover," and perhaps distract them from the card count.
What thoughts come to your mind, when it comes to this topic and this documentary? Leave them in our comments section, and we may address them in upcoming posts.
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