POKER AND THE "KING OF KINGS"
by Richard Burkard
In 2007 I began playing poker in free local tournaments. What began as an experiment to see how well I'd do has grown into much more - as not only do I make final tables on a regular basis, but I use the tournaments to engage in what I call "poker ministry." I use the games along with a blog to connect the game with God, and bring players face-to-face with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
As you might imagine, some ministers are skeptical of this approach. In fact, one Seventh-Day Adventist minister posted a sermon blatantly against the concept. I don't know if Will Fults knew about the "On the Flop" blog when he presented his message, "The Christian and Poker -- What Should We Do?" But he clearly concluded the game is sin, and something believers should avoid by all means.
I came across Mr. Fults's sermon in the weeks before Passover, and decided it was perfect material to "examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith" (II Corinthians 13:5). Was I off-base in attempting to put the words poker and ministry together? Can a card game be used as an evangelistic outreach tool? Or is "Texas Hold 'em" something to be dropped faster than.... well, faster than a 5-3 offsuit?
Always, or Exceptions?
Mr. Fults frames his case in the context of the Ten Commandments, and especially loving your neighbor. (The fact that 13 of the 52 cards in a deck are hearts is beside the point.) "God is calling us to purity," he says -- and we absolutely agree on that. But then Mr. Fults adds....
"You shall not steal." - Exodus 20:15 (NKJV). Poker is a game of stealing.
Indeed the object of the game in a Texas Hold 'em tournament is to wind up with everyone else's chips. But let's stop and think here. Is Mr. Fults also against team sports? Baseball and softball players steal bases (unless special league rules prohibit it). Football players steal passes (also known as interceptions). And several SDA colleges have varsity basketball teams, which apparently try to steal the ball and have no guilt pangs about it.
But since Mr. Fults is quoting Scripture, let's use Scripture as our guide. The Bible reveals there were times when God allowed His chosen people to take items from others. You'll find one example in Numbers 31.
"Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites," the Lord advises Moses in verses 1-2. Israel indeed prevailed in a rout, "captured the Midianite women and children and took all the Midianite herds, flocks and goods as plunder.... They took all the plunder and spoils, including the people and animals" (vs. 9, 11).
Was this stealing? The Midianite women who were taken captive probably thought so -- and if this happened in your neighborhood, you'd probably agree. Yet God instructed Moses, "Divide the spoils between the soldiers who took part in the battle and the rest of the community" (verse 27). In fact, the Lord only asked for one in 500 animals as a "tribute" from the soldiers (vs. 28-29) - far less than a tithe.
The Israelites took "the spoils of war" after other conquests as well -- even doing it "as the Lord had instructed" in Joshua 8:2, 27. Our point simply is this: God occasionally permits taking from other people. It's allowed under the rules in various sports. So why turn it into a giant spiritual point, when it comes to a poker game?
Thrown Over the Bluff
Mr. Fults continues his no-stealing argument by explaining two strategic elements of poker:
Bluffing is the art of lying, of fooling another player or players into thinking their money that they have put in a pot is no good and that they should give it up. The second poker skill is trapping which is the art of deception. A player with a strong hand will act like their hand is weak in hopes that they will fool another player into giving all their money to them by betting.
Are these tactics always wrong in God's eyes? If you think so, consider what King Jehu of Israel did. He gathered an ancient version of a town hall meeting to declare, "Ahab [a predecessor] served Baal a little; Jehu will serve him much. Now summon all the prophets of Baal, all his ministers and all his priests. See that no one is missing, because I am going to hold a great sacrifice for Baal...." (II Kings 10:18-19)
Yet what was the king's real goal? Read the rest of verse 19. "Jehu was acting deceptively in order to destroy the ministers of Baal" - and it worked. To use poker lingo, the ministers of the false god went "all-in" at a royally-called assembly (verse 21). But none of them got out alive, as Jehu ordered them all killed and "destroyed Baal worship in Israel" (vs. 25, 28).
This was a bluff which created a death trap - yet was God displeased? To the contrary: "The Lord said to Jehu: 'Because you have done well in accomplishing what is right in my eyes.... you descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation'" (verse 30). The king's lying tactic was rewarded!
Will Fults is correct to note Satan "first perfected deception" in the garden of Eden. But in this case, God honored a king for breaking both the "false witness" and murder commandments -- because it brought an end God supported.
Taming With the Shrewd
Another Biblical term comes to mind in considering what King Jehu did -- being shrewd. My American Heritage Dictionary shows that word can mean "discerning; astute." Yet it also can mean "artful; cunning; tricky." The concept actually gains support from Jesus in a parable (Luke 16:8) - and especially in this advice to His disciples: "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16)
You may be more familiar with the King James wording of that verse: "Be you therefore wise as serpents yet harmless as doves." We've actually taken a small bottle of Dove soap to poker tables - using it as a "card protector," and bringing up this verse when people ask about it to turn the conversation toward the Bible.
If someone tries to be an aggressive "bully" at a poker table, there's sometimes no better way to humble that person than to trap him. Did not God's prophet Nathan do this with words, when he confronted King David about what happened with Uriah and Bathsheba? (II Samuel 12:1-7) As I prepared this article, radio minister Stephen Davey cited another "trap of God" - when Egypt's army tried to pursue the fleeing Israelites through the Red Sea, only to drown and wash ashore dead (Exodus 14:26-30).
Going one step farther: if lying is always wrong, as Will Fults indicates, why is a harlot named Rahab listed in the Bible's "faith chapter" (Hebrews 11:31)? She lied in Joshua 2 to protect Israeli spies - yet when Jericho fell, her household was spared (Joshua 6:17, 23, 25). James 2:25 even calls this deception a righteous act! (Some Bible commentators claim Rahab repented and turned to God after this incident, but there's really no verse to support this.)
Lead Them Not Into Temptation
Mr. Fults later warns gambling can become addictive - and we agree completely there. He cites Romans 14:21 in this regard: "It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall." The King James expands the last word to mean, "....stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak."
The minister is right in warning against tempting others to sin. That's why I'm careful about how poker ministry is conducted, and then explained in Church of God groups. I make a distinction to play free and "buy-in" tournaments (where the buy-in essentially is an entry fee, similar to golf or softball outings), as opposed to "cash games" where players gain or lose money hand-by-hand. That sort of game in your basement actually might be illegal in some cities or states.
I've played real cash games a few times in casinos -- losing more than I've won, and only on special trips. To me, that's actual gambling. I consider free and buy-in tournaments different - but as you'll see, Will Fults does not.
He goes on to quote this part of Romans 14:22: "Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves." But it's noteworthy that he leaves out the first half of that verse: "So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God." Mr. Fults is right to say that verse is a warning against making brethren stumble into gambling addictions, but the first part does not ban poker-playing.
The verse must not ban wine-drinking, because Paul recommends it in I Timothy 5:23. And while Adventists such as Will Fults are well-known for promoting vegetarianism, Jesus clearly ate fish twice in the gospels. (See our SDA article for more on this.)
Humble Hearts?
Mr. Fults sets up a worksheet in his sermon listing six "characteristics of poker," and asking if they're characteristics of God or Satan. At first glance, all six impulsively would be thrown on Satan's side of the board. Yet we've already shown God sometimes accepts acts of deception, lying, and even harming others (see the Midianites). Let's focus next on another of those characteristics - pride.
I John 2:16 warns against the "pride of life" being worldly. "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble," adds James 4:6 and similar verses. Yet I like to say poker is a game which actually keeps you humble. Many players (yes, even I) have seen big winning hands fall to pieces and lose, when an opponent "hits the river" with a longshot card.
Yet here we come to a dilemma in Mr. Fults's reasoning. Let's say I make a full house on the flop. If I handle this big hand by checking at first, the minister would declare me a lying deceiver - yet isn't that the humble approach to a hand like this? Wouldn't a big bet indicate pride?
Another characteristic on Mr. Fults's list is selfishness. And indeed, the object of the game is to accumulate (he would go to the tenth commandment and say covet) everyone else's chips. Some might argue that's also the object of Christianity - since Jesus told His disciples to "make disciples of all nations...." (Matthew 28:19) and He's coming again to crush all dissenting points of view (Revelation 19:19-21). To the believer, of course, Jesus is not selfish - He's a jealous God who defines love (Exodus 20:5/I John 4:8).
After playing poker for several years, I've concluded successful playing involves self-discipline as opposed to selfishness. Remember the bully we mentioned earlier, who might bet aggressively on every hand to build a big chip lead? I've seen that kind of player push that tactic too far, and lose a stack as quickly as he gained it.
In contrast, Proverbs 23:23 advises: "Get wisdom, discipline and understanding." That involves the spiritual fruit called patience (Galatians 5:22) -- being wise to follow the classic musical advice of Kenny Rogers: "You've got to know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em." While that admittedly comes from a song called The Gambler, the guidance can apply in many walks of life -- from investing personal finances to making church commitments.
I've actually seen poker players over the years show a measure of compassion, as opposed to selfishness. They make small bets with huge hands to "keep you in the game," instead of eliminating you in one fell swoop. And some have enough ethics to admit they saw certain cards which are supposed to be kept face-down, such as "burn" cards.
Evil Dealings?
Will Fults concludes poker is a sinful game which Christians must avoid, even if you play it for free. He quotes Ephesians 5:3 - "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people." He also indicates poker is evil by quoting Romans 12:21 -- "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
But we have to respectfully ask: is the game of poker evil, of and by itself? Worldwide Church of God founder Herbert Armstrong enjoyed playing the card game of hearts - and WCG ministers sometimes noted the object of that game is to give hearts to other players, and collect as few as possible. Yet critics might say that "way of give" occasionally can trap opponents into holding plenty of hearts. And you actually can play to take every heart at the table - because then, every player at the table is assessed points instead of you!
Our point is simply this: card games are simply that - games. Admittedly some people can take games too far, to commit sinful acts. But sad to say, some people also take the Bible too far - using it to justify extreme actions such as homicides and domestic violence. No right-minded Christian minister would dare say that makes the Bible evil. So it seems to me an old Church of God maxim applies with poker: a thing is not necessarily wrong - it's how that thing is used.
That's what we try to do with poker. In fact, we try to do one of the "positive things" Will Fults suggests believers do instead of evil habits - to "share with others." Paul did that by reasoning with people he met in a public marketplace (Acts 17:17). We seek to do the same - although admittedly it often happens in an atmosphere of cigarette smoke and pitchers of beer.
Yet I Corinthians 10:32 warns, "Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God...." That's a higher standard than mere concern for fellow believers! As the NIV Study Bible notes: "....he will consider his fellowman and not cause anyone's conscience to be offended by his daily life, thus keeping that person from receiving the gospel." Remember the first part of Romans 14:22 along that line.
He's Not All Wrong
We've tried to use Scripture to point out several ways where we disagree with Will Fults's reasoning about poker. Yet we've also noted several areas where we agree - and Mr. Fults makes some other good points in his sermon, which all believers should consider:
+ The greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul and mind - then "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39). All things should be done in a loving way. Even a friendly (we would hope) game of poker.
+ The commandment against "bearing false witness" still is in the Bible (Exodus 20:16). I strive never to lie with my mouth at a poker table. If an opponent openly asks what I have in the middle of a hand, I find a creative yet dodging answer. After all, a big bet can mean many things -- it's all in whether you "judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24, KJV).
+ Jesus's words "You cannot serve both God and Money" (Matt. 6:24) still apply today. Mr. Fults didn't mention Proverbs 28:20, but it also applies to poker: "....one eager to get rich will not go unpunished." We think it's a rare player who becomes an instant millionaire at poker, even playing non-stop online. As Mr. Fults mentions later, "Godliness with contentment is great gain...." (I Timothy 6:6)
+ Quoting the sermon: God will take care of you if you seek Him first. In other words, get your priorities straight. If winning at poker is ahead of spending time in God's Word and setting a Christian example, your priorities are not straight in God's sight.
+ Eliminate any temptations that could lead to sin. If gambling addiction is a problem for you, poker games probably should be avoided -- in the same way that people bent toward drunkenness are wise to avoid alcohol, and might want to avoid free poker tournaments at bars and nightclubs.
So we've explained what we do, in playing poker. The Adventist minister has explained what you should not do. Can common ground be found between these two views? Will Fults likely would say no, but we've tried to show how the answer can be yes. And in fact, we're both waiting for the same thing - the return of Jesus Christ as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" (Rev. 19:16). As we like to say at the poker table, our King of Kings outranks any Ace.
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