Hello, Friends

This year's World Series of Poker is underway in Las Vegas - and as usual, it's far more than one tournament. This year, the "Main Event" is only "Event #65" out of 78 on the schedule.

Courtesy WSOP.com

One of the big early winners is Roberly Felicio of Brazil. He won one million dollars in the "Colossus", defeating more than 13,000 other contestants. Felicio admitted he arrived in Las Vegas "with only one friend" - but as he advanced, other Brazilian residents started rooting loudly for him from the rail.

The skeptic in us wants to ask: Are those supporters really Felicio's friends now?

National pride can create spur-of-the-moment friendships, of course. So can the hope of sharing in someone's big jackpot or success. But a true friendship should go deeper than that....

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. - Proverbs 17:17

Will that person be with you if you don't make the money - or when the money runs out? If so, that's a sign of a real friend. Someone once walked the earth who was willing to be that kind of friend....

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, "Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and 'sinners.'" But wisdom is proved right by her actions. - Matthew 11:19

Jesus Christ said this in response to Pharisee critics. They couldn't believe a man doing miracles and claiming a relationship with God would associated with such people (Matthew 9:11). But He did, for a reason:

...For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. - Matthew 9:13

Some believers in Jesus are quick to call Him the "sinners' friend." That's true. But Jesus put very strict requirements on friendship with Him:

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. - John 15:13-14

Some people stayed close to Jesus because He did miracles providing them free food. He realized that, and told them off for it (John 6:26-27). But are you studying the Bible to see what Jesus commands you to do? It's a relationship that should go much deeper, and far beyond the emotions of a poker tournament.