For-tuned in?

Texas Hold 'em is the brand of poker most commonly shown on TV and showcased in casinos. But look hard enough at many casinos, and you're likely to find tables with different poker breeds.

Pai Gow poker is a game where players receive seven cards, then try to beat the house's seven. One common version has you set aside two top cards, then the best hand you can make with the remaining five.

But Pai Gow has some side bets that could raise eyebrows - such as the "fortune" button. Put a chip on that, and you can win an "envy bonus" if someone else at the table makes four of a kind.

If you think all this is no big deal, consider a surprising Bible verse we found the other day....

But as for you who forsake the Lord and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you for the sword.... - Isaiah 65:11-12

The word "fortune" in the New International Version can be translated in several ways. The New King James has "Gad," which was a god in ancient Babylon. Some religious scholars compare it to Baal or the planet Jupiter. In any case, it's a false god compared to the God of the Bible.

But wait, you might be saying: isn't the idea of "fortune" everywhere? Yes, it is - from that famous game show to an old TV talent contest (listen about 1:00 in). You might even earn a "small fortune" in a poker room.

It all shows how the world's religions can subtly sneak into our lives. But if you spread the table for a "fortune," the true God is not pleased:

...For I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me. - Isaiah 65:12b

It's far better to put your future in the hands of the real God. And when it comes to money, He really doesn't ask for that much....

"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 enough room for it." - Malachi 3:10

A "tithe" refers to ten percent. And to make things clear - we are NOT asking you to send a tithe to us. If you want to give tithing a try, leave a comment and we'll offer some suggestions.

But this discovery in Isaiah about "Fortune" makes us unlikely to ever play Pai Gow - especially not the sidebets. There's more to the wording in this game, but we'll save that for a future post.