“In or out?“
“So, are you in or are you out?” asked the poker player. “I’m in,” the gambler replied. “I’m all in… I’m in it for broke.” “Good,” said the player, thumbs riffle-shuffling the halves of the deck. “Besides, there’s no other game in town, you know.”
That’s the attitude many take towards this world, it’s systems, things, allures and come-ons. “It’s the only game in town… better give it all the gusto I got… hope to hit it big, drink deep, enjoy its pleasures for tomorrow I die.” This world is deceptive. Like the begrudging host of Proverbs 23 it invites “’Eat and drink,’ … but [its] heart is not with you.” (Prov. 23:7).
“Life is like a game of Monopoly,” notes Christian author and psychologist James Dobson, “eventually, win or lose, the time comes when you must put all the pieces back into the box.” – James Dobson, in video, Turn Your Heart Toward Home. And, like Monopoly, play money is all this world offers. You can buy nothing of real value with it, and when the game is ended you are just as impoverished as you were at its beginning.
True gold is what the Lord offers. In fact, things much better than gold. The wisdom alone of God is, as we find in Proverbs, better than silver or fine gold (Prov. 3:14; 8:10, 19; 16:16).
Lips of knowledge (Pro 20:15), a good name and loving favour (Pro 22:1), an apt word (Pro 25:11) a wise reproof (Pro 25:12) – all of these are greater than silver, gold, rubies, or jewellery. These are the values worth acquiring. As Peter urges, “…make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” (1 Pet. 1:5-7).
Why? Because these are the things that transform you, things that shape your soul, things that endure and things that glorify God!
“There have been men of greater brains or opportunities than I, but I made up my mind that God would have all of William Booth there was.” – William Booth.
So, what about it? “Are you in or are you out?” Are you, like William Booth, in it for broke?” I hope so. There’s no other game in eternity, you know.”
More tomorrow…
To hear Pastor Andrew’s Sunday message, go to the Facebook page of Lincoln Baptist Church, or link to the livestream from the church website.
thebrokenrunner 