One Task Only

They'll return to the table October 30, but the World Series of Poker "November Nine" are now settled. The Main Event final table has players from several countries, no real superstars - and one man who's already guaranteed himself a record payoff.



Courtesy CardPlayer.com

Fernando Pons is a native of Spain who works in retail sales. The WSOP website indicates his grand total winnings in live poker tournaments are $10,589. But what intrigues us about Pons is that the Main Event is the only tournament he went to Las Vegas to play. That probably makes him like a lot of poker players, who consider the Main Event a "bucket list" item with nothing else mattering.


What matters most in your life? If it's poker, we have some news that might surprise you or even upset you. Believe it or not, there's more to life than poker.

Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see... - Ecclesiastes 11:9a

 Sounds great so far, doesn't it? But that Bible verse isn't finished yet....

...But know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. - Ecclesiastes 11:9b

Yeah, we went there. We believe there is a God, and He's appointed Jesus Christ to judge all that we do in our lives.

The U.S. political campaigns have reminded us that lots of people judge others. If you vote, you might pick one candidate over another based on how they've conducted themselves, or what "sins" they've committed. But have we forgotten....

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you - who are you to judge your neighbor? - James 4:12

Jesus will have the final word on which people are saved and which will be destruction (Revelation 20:12-15). So how can you get to the saved side? That's where we come back to the example of Fernando Pons:

But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. - Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

Our lives need to have one main goal - seeking God's Kingdom by developing His righteousness. If you focus on that, bonus blessings will come. Maybe not a seat at the WSOP Main Event final table, but blessings of different kinds.

So again we ask: what matters most in your life - and should?