Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. - I Corinthians 10:24 (KJV)If ever a Bible verse seemed perfect for poker, it's this one. After all, isn't the object of the game to seek other people's poker chips -- and make them yours?
Well, hold on - that may not be exactly what this verse means. Our King James Bibles show the last word as "wealth". It's in italics - which means it was added by the translators 400 years ago, and not in the original Greek. Let's see what other translations say:
New King James Version: "....each one the other's well-being."
Revised Standard Version: "Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor."
New International Version: "Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others."
Moffatt: "Each of us must consult his neighbor's interests, not his own."
This tells us two things. No Bible translation is perfect - and the real intent of this verse is for us to think about other people, more than ourselves. That's certainly what Paul meant elsewhere in the Bible:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. - Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)
Show up at a poker table acting selfishly (beyond trying to win pots), and other players might label you a jerk. You might be able to think of some poker pros with this reputation. It's better to show outgoing concern toward the people around you.
So let's open this up for comments. What are some things you've done in a poker room to care about the good interests of other players? Or perhaps wished you had done?
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