The Fool with the Flush

Poker may not be particularly athletic, but it is apparently a sport. When I traverse through the cable sports stations, I find that there is nearly always a circle of famous folks sporting cards and chips.

Poker seemed an apt illustration as I read Jesus’ words today. Jesus said, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Then he told the famous parable of the “rich fool” – you remember, the successful businessman who said to his soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you!” (Luke 12)

In poker terms, the rich man had a flush - maybe even a straight flush. Everything had come together nicely for him, and he was sliding his chips to the middle of the table. He didn’t have the perfect hand, but a near perfect one. He expected his chips, along with his opponents’ chips, to slide back into his account and form an impressive pile.

Sadly, he was betting against God. Holding a royal straight flush from the beginning, God knew this man’s attempts to accumulate wealth were doomed to failure. In fact, the larger the bet the man made, the more total would be his collapse. And when God laid down his cards, all the man could do was watch in horror as his possessions vanished away.

Jesus said, “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21).

The good news is that those who are rich toward God, offering everything to him, experience an abundance above human comprehension. While not celebrities here on earth, God’s children are rich beyond measure – sharing in all the winnings of their Lord.