Do the Hustle? 2

In an earlier post, we talked about playing in a qualifying tournament to win a seat at the World Series of Poker Main Event - a seat sponsored by Larry Flynt's Hustler Casino. As we kept playing, a thought came to our mind....

Me: If we win the seat, do we have to wear his casino logo?
Taek1: as long as hes giving away free money hes good in my books
ChipSmugler: right I think you will
Dealer: Taek1 wins Main Pot ($11220) with Two pair, jacks and sevens
ChipSmugler: family be real proud winning the Main Event with Hustler all over yalol
Me: Yeah I know.

Professional poker players wear website sponsored all over their shirts and hats. The thought of promoting something involving Larry Flynt isn't very appealing to us -- even though the Bible says:

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." - I Samuel 16:7b

Not everyone you see walking into a bar is an alcoholic. We could be walking inside to win money at poker, and do some ministry in the process. But there's another argument from Scripture which could be made here....

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. - I Thessalonians 5:21-22 (KJV)

We've understood this for decades to mean you shouldn't do anything which might give the impression to others that you're sinning. But after checking other translations and the Greek meaning of "appearance" as we write this, we're coming to a different conclusion. It's our eyes being discussed in this verse -- we shouldn't be looking on evil, as it might tempt us.

When we reached the final tables at Soho Bar and Grill the other night, we happened to sit with our back to a computer screen where people were looking at "soft porn" photos. We thank God for sitting where we did! This leads to one more comment from the chat....

Taek1: gambling is just as bad as pornso who cares

When it comes to sin, that player has a good point.

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. - James 2:10

As some "church folks" like to put it: sin is sin is sin. You're equally guilty before God if you're a mass murderer or a neighborhood gossip.

We wound up 23rd in this tournament out of 243 players; the top ten qualified for the final tournament to win a Main Event seat. Yet as we consider all this, we're admittedly not comfortable trying to win this seat if it means being connected with Larry Flynt. Other contests may have less "baggage"; then again, they might actually have more.

Do the Hustle?

It's an awfully tempting offer at National League of Poker -- the opportunity to play for a seat at the World Series of Poker Main Event in July, plus $750 travel expenses. So we entered a qualifying tournament this week and found these words highlighted when we clicked: "Sponsored by Hustler Casino."

Once we entered, we learned from ads that it's Larry Flynt's Hustler Casino in southern California. That admittedly made us a bit uncomfortable. So we couldn't resist bringing him up at the table....

Dealer: flopblogger wins Main Pot ($930) with Straight, ace to five
Me: :-)
ChipSmugler: gh
Me: (whew) Thanks
Me: PTL
ChipSmugler: lol
Me: (Larry Flynt notwithstanding)

Larry Flynt historically hasn't thought very highly of religion. That's really no surprise, since his career has been built on selling pornographic magazines. So a "Praise the Lord" might offend Flynt, but we're exercising our first amendment freedom to say it.

....The whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.... "I tell you," [Jesus] replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." - Luke 19:37, 40

Moral of the story: don't be afraid to praise God in any situation. That chat continues....

ChipSmugler: you know I met his last summer hes a real nice guy
Me: Maybe so - but I can't agree with what he does....
ChipSmugler: Hes very smart and made a Casino more for fun and now it makes him over 20 mill a year
Me: he might need the $$ with online p*rn eclipsing magazines.
ChipSmugler: Doesnt mean I agree with his m***s but he is what he is He wasnt what I thought he would bevery much a gentleman paralyzed and keeps a great attitude....

Being nice and having a good attitude amid adversity are worthy virtues. In fact, in the right context they're Christian virtues. But we should watch people (including ourselves) carefully....

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. - Matthew 7:18-20

We can all be a "fruit cocktail" at times, if we're not staying close to the "fruit tree." A relationship with God through the Holy Spirit should produce consistently good fruit. Check Galatians 5:22-23 for a list of ingredients.

More on this topic in a future post....