A Time To Lend

A promotional card enticed us to head to a casino this weekend. We had "25 bonus entries" to win $1,000 in slot machine play -- which would have been interesting had we won, because we never play slot machines.

But we took $60 to the Ultimate Texas Hold 'em table.  The $5 table was surprisingly open, as only two players were beside us for awhile.  But one needed our help at one point....

BLINDS: $5 (plus $5 ante)

IN THE POCKET: 4-8 offsuit

Ugh.  This doesn't look promising - but anything can happen on the flop, as the dealer can't raise to drive us away.  So we check.

ON THE FLOP: K-7-7

That highway must be in our state somewhere.  But it's not on our road.  We'll check again -- but first, the player on our right is anxious.

"What do I do?  I don't have the money to bet!" he says.  It looks to us like he has $10 in chips, but he clearly wants to do more than that -- and he apparently doesn't have extra cash.

"Can I borrow $5 from you?" the man finally asks us.  "I'll give it right back.  I've got a 7."

At any other place and occasion, we probably would have said no.  But he's made a promise and he's sitting right next to us.  So we hand over one of our $5 chips, so he can bet 2x the blind.

ON THE TURN/RIVER: 9-6 (as best we recall)

We wisely fold.  But our borrower wins big, as his "trip 7's" top the dealer and get a big payoff.  And yes, the winner then gives us back that $5 chip.

"Always tip the dealer," we joke.  "Or in this case, the lender."

The man did not do that.  And we eventually lost $55 of our $60 at that table (dropping the other $5 in a quick time of blackjack).  But it was an opportunity to practice giving -- something we all really should do.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.... if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously.... - Romans 12:6-8

So far in 2014, we've had an amazing ten encounters with beggars around our area.  We haven't gone looking for them; they've simply crossed our path or come to us.  In fact, we stopped for a street-corner beggar at a traffic light on the way to this casino trip.  We held up traffic and probably infuriated a few drivers, while we hurried around to open our trunk and give a man with a "HOMELESS" sign a small bag of food.

We do these things because we're trying to follow the example of God....

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

The greatest gift God ever provided for you and me was Jesus.  And why did the Father and Son do this?

For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! - Romans 5:10

Our $5 loan at the casino table helped a man win, well, maybe $50.  God's gift is much better and long-lasting -- salvation and eternal life.  Will you accept Jesus, the gift God offers you?