The Great Equalizer

In a post earlier this week, we mentioned a man at our table who became angry because a "friend" knocked over his big stack of chips.  We tried to counsel him a bit.

"Vengeance is not the answer," we said.

"I'm gonna get vengeance, all right," the man responded -- then swore a little about what he might do.

Virtually all poker players who have lost a big pot in poker have plotted ways to regain their chips.  A good betting strategy and timely cards can accomplish that goal; we went from 200 chips to more than 15,000 in an online tournament late Wednesday night, and finished in the top 20 out of about 400 players.

But sometimes losing players go "on tilt" -- becoming so desperate that they go all-in with virtually nothing.  It only takes one courageous player with good cards to send the "tilts" to the rail.  At times like that, we'd all do well to remember these words....

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. - Romans 12:19

That quote from the apostle Paul goes all the way back to Moses, shortly before Israel entered the promised land (Deuteronomy 32:35).  So when someone pulls a fast one on you in a poker room, what should you do?  The answer may shock you....

On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." - Romans 12:20 (from Proverbs 25:21-22)

The chapter concludes with another point we mentioned in a post this week: "Overcome evil with good."  Yes, we know - that goes very contrary to our human nature.  But the Bible shows we need to "fold" that very nature, and replace it:

....The sinful mind is hostile to God.  It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.  Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. - Romans 8:7-8

As we've put it here before: let your chips do your talking.  If other people want to "mess with you" at the table, let them -- and even look for ways to be nice in response.  You may not change their habits right away, but you might give them something to think about.  And that something might lead them to a new life in Jesus Christ.