Instant Winner

I cannot believe how many people throw money away on lottery tickets hoping to become an instant winner.  Like any gambling casino or quick money scheme, these organizations are in it for the money.  They don’t have our best interest at heart, only filling their barns with our earnings.

My dad said that if something sounds too good to be true it usually is; to look out for scams.  It amazes me how some people are taken in by the ‘get rich’ schemes and lose their life savings, thinking their ship is about to come in.

People that want a quick fix for money problems, while doing stupid things with the money they have, usually end up in worse shape than they were before.  They allow themselves to be taken in by greedy fast-talkers that lack ethical or moral character; bet on horses that fail to place; and play card games or slot machines that don’t pay off.  The number of losers is staggering, while the purses of gaming establishments overflow with profit.

Gambling can become as addictive as any other vice regardless of the enormous odds in becoming an instant winner.  You might say that the cards are stacked against us.  The anticipation of the ‘big win’ keeps people coming back.  This stimulus is their hope, even though a long, losing streak follows them.

Dad called repeat offenders, ‘suckers’.  These are those that believe the next turn of the card will be it, or the next number that pops up will be the one.  They live in the ‘I hope’ mode; always wishing for miracles, but seldom getting them.  Aggressive gamblers can bet their entire paycheck in the hope of becoming an instant winner, yet lose everything in the end.

What they really need cannot be found at the horse track, roulette wheel, slot machine, craps table, in a lottery ticket or playing cards.  The quest for success will never cease until the Lord sets compulsive addicts free of their bondage.  Only Jesus can fill the empty pockets of desire, with hope.

When it comes to meeting personal needs, it is mind boggling how people can put more faith in rolling dice than in the power of Almighty God.  Their faith in chance is greater than their faith in the God of miracles.  Go figure!  It’s hard for me to understand lack of faith in God when a person needs a helping hand.

I’ve learned through the years that God is a sure thing.  The odds are with us 100% in our favor when we take a chance on Him.  God has a payoff plan for every person on earth.  He wants to show that He will come through for us, and that His percentage of hope is the highest rate possible.  All profits are in serving Him.  We cannot lose with our Heavenly Father.  We are on the winning side when we put our wages of faith on Him, because we cannot out give the Lord.  It comes back to us many times over. 

When a person asks Jesus into their heart, they are an instant winner.  They are number one in God’s eyes.  He teaches when we give away from ourselves, this act of doing has high, return dividends.  Our winnings are great, because God’s interest rate surpasses our expectations.  He desires to give the best that He can to His children. 

“And I say unto you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  10. for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  11. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone?  Or if he asks a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?  12. or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?  13. If ye then, being evil, knows how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”  (St. Luke 11:9-13).

There is no other plan or game in town that pays off like God’s plan.  He is our hope and provider.  We are instant winners in Him and the ‘big payoff’ is heaven.

Written by,

Papa Boyd