Honestly, this video is like an epiphany to me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxRilqAflkc

What does Lord Jesus say?

"If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:29-31

See the absolute conundrum of playing a poker game and trying to follow the Lord's command at the same time?

I was in the same situation as Ryan once, and chose to make the guy pay according to the rules of the game, so I can't say I blame anyone for wanting justice in this situation, but in a sense Christ is asking us to choose mercy over justice for a season and allow ourselves to be wronged. Which is basically impossible to do as a pro poker player if you want to make it long-run.

Amen to all of the above. I'm struggling with this myself. Trying to walk the line between serving my God, taking care of myself, and recognizing that I have liberty in Christ. Paul seemed to suggest that certain questionable things might be ok if it's done in the proper spirit and it doesn't cause your brother to stumble. I'm still listening to God through his word on this.

I would disagree, in the specific situation highlighted by the video you posted, I think you should be merciful once for a person. You could even benefit from that and make a decent friend of the guy.
However choosing justice as they continue being wrongful seems necessary. What does Christianity prescribe ?

In the video you posted, the same angle was done previously by the same person, but simply not caught. So should mercy have been applied?

That video involves a very specific case of angle shooting which honestly does not happen that often on the tables. I didn't even watch the video but I'm aware of that particular situation.

The Lord Jesus said lots of things and frequently spoke in parables that at first glance may seem inherently contradictory. You also need to provide for you and yours, so if you lived your life in light of that one verse you wouldn't be able to do that. The parables are general prescriptions for godly living that need to be interpreted in the light of all scripture. That's why it's so important to read the whole bible as much as you can; so that your conscience can be guided by the plain language of scripture.

There's a time for everything under heaven, but as far as I understand it the current command is "if your brother wrongs you 7 times per day and comes to you in repentance, forgive him 7 times." Jesus allowed himself to be wronged all the way to the point of physical death on a cross. Being wronged financially should seem very trivial compared to that.

The apostle Paul rebuked the Corinthian church for this very reason;
"The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?" 1 Corinthians 6:7

All of that being said, in the context of angle shooting, if I were at the table as a third party or in the position of floor person I would definitely advocate for the guy to pay to be fair to all parties. Then it's up to individual if he wants to be merciful and give the guy the 10k back in the parking lot or whatever. But never at the table, that's just horrible for the game.

Also, one of the scariest warnings in all of scripture has to do with this very issue; https://www.biblegateway.com/passage...35&version=NIV

True, but I don't think he's speaking in parables in Luke chapter 6. I don't think there's any secret meaning behind being generous to the poor and giving to your own enemies, other than it's an expression of God's mercy towards us. But some things are definitely to be taken literally, as in, "you go, and do the same."

I would imagine Abraham had the same thoughts when God asked him to sacrifice his own son Isaac on the mountain. Biblical faith usually requires some pretty radical trust in God.

I could be way off on this. It's possible God trusts some people with more money and wants them to multiply it for good causes, as in the parable of the talents. Maybe he wants us to get rich and pay it forward. I really have no idea.

"He who has will be given more, and he who has not, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."

Hello

Is it a sin to be a professional poker player?

It might be helpful to start with some definitions so we are on the same page

We have to start with the question what is sin?

Sin is anything contrary to God's will. Everyone was once a sinner (romans 3:23, Romans 6:23)

What is a Christian?
A Christian is someone who has repented and believed in Christ (John 3:16). Someone who has a new heart and is pursing God's will (2 Corinthians 5:17) They strive to submit to God's will revealed in the Bible in mind, conduct, and deed. As Christians, it's important to not violate our consciousness even if the act isn't sin. If we make a habit of violating our conciousnesses, we are more prone to violate them when the opportunity to sin occurs.

Now we have to ask another question... If there was any doubt poker was not a sin, would you ask the question? Clearly, there is something inherently wrong with playing poker. What could these things potentially be?

1) The goal is to take money from other people. Even though it's a mutual agreement, that's still the goal.
2) It's potentially addictive. Even if you are making money, you are taking from people that are addicted to the game
3) It's a bad witness for the world and Christ.
4) You are spending most of your time in an activity that is considered a vice.
5) Poker attracts a wide variety of Characters. Many of those Characters are not good people. They are into other vices such as sexual immorality, drunkenness, and parties
6) Think about the type of people you are around. Psalm 1 says that the blessed man does not walk I the counsel of the wicked. Does not sit with scoffers. The blessed man is the happy man. His delight is in the Word of God and living it out.

So what does all of this tell us? Well let me give you some background. I used to play high stakes. Although not professional, I've played with semi-professionals. I was at the casino a lot. Now my life has radically transformed. And I don't desire to play poker. Let me tell you something

The casino has all sorts of evil attached to it. Your mind, you conduct, your way of life is being conformed to the casino. That's where you are every day for hours on end. Is this helping you with your walk with Christ?

I dont' think the Bible prohibits poker. However, I wouldn't recommend it. I truly believe Christians that Love Christ wouldn't make a habit of playing poker. Their heart is to give to people, not take. To fellowship with Christians that love the lord....generally not found in casinos. To live out God's plan for their life recorded in the Bible.

So yeah, I wouldn't violate your consciousness. It will affect your mind, your friends, your path of life. That's not the heart of Christians that love the Lord. Only God can give you a heart that wants to pursue him, his plan and his purposes. God bless

Why did you jump of the cliff?

Because he did too... stupid!

Thanks for the replies rrrr12 and Ronny. I keep going back and forth on this, ultimately I think it's fine if you have self control, treat others how you want to be treated, don't cheat in the games, respect everyone etc. I think you can love people in a casino and play a friendly game of cards. Whoever hates his brother is in the darkness but I feel like you can be competitive and still cordial and loving to everyone. Important thing is to be generous to poor like the Lord says and not greedy. I don't think being a poker player makes you greedy anymore than being a professional athlete makes you a womanizer. Stay sober and treat others how you want to be treated, and remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended of David.

When it comes to online poker I stopped playing for money period. In most cases if not all I don't know if I'm playing against someone with a problem or someone who will develop a problem, I also don't know if someone is playing outside of their means (although this seems unlikely at the smaller stakes, unless someone really has that little money), also paying rake contributes to a website where these things, and I imagine worse, happen. Live poker seems like a no as well as for the reasons I gave for online poker.

Right on dude. And you will probably avoid many unnecessary struggles as a result of that decision. Best wishes in whatever work you choose to pursue.

I know for me the more I read the Bible the more it’s clear about being greedy and only being able to serve one master God or money.

Poker gets me in a place of greed and always having money on my mind.

I realized when I take breaks from poker it allows me to do so much more with my life.

When I play poker it consumes my thoughts and actions. I’m always thinking about the best game to play in to make the most Bb/hr. I’m also constantly thinking about Strat when I’m not playing. It takes over my mind and doesn’t leave much room for God if I’m completely honest with myself.

The crazy thing is I see my Dad do similar things in business, even in his free time he is always working on deals and thinking and basically being consumed by money instead of God.

I think this is where the problem is with the love of money and not necessarily poker.

So there’s a conflict in being a poker player. If you want to be good you need to consume your thoughts and actions with trying to make money.

But you can only serve one master.

And yes being a workaholic is almost on the same level. If all your thoughts are consumed by money and making money then I would ask when is there going to be any time for God?

For what has a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul Matthew 16:26

If you were doing any other job to the glory of God the same sorts of things would be happening in your mind. Who doesn't work hard to get a raise. But you should ultimately obey your conscience as directed by the Holy Spirit.

Edit: redtube on the other hand...

Thanks, Loading.....

What is sin?
Can you define it?
And why do you care or want to know?
Does it matter to you?

Hmmm?

How can there be such deluded morons in this thread.

If Christianity is real, do you really think God would want you to be a bum hunter taking degenerates money for a living?

These rationalizations are cringe worthy. Just own up to the fact that you dont give a sh*t about doing the moral thing.

Makes you come off as a lot less pathetic.

Poker players, is it a sin to be a Christian? Are we ready for that thread or no?

Yeah, this is true. It's pretty shameful.

Why not ask god?

Probably because I already know the answer so I ask people instead in order to seek their justification rather than God's. Lord have mercy.

What's the answer?

If I tell you it's a sin, I could be condemned as a legalist adding something to God's command that doesn't exist. If I tell you it's fine, I could be condemned as perverting the grace of God into a license for covetousness. At this point I plead the 5th and my only hope is in the death burial and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.

Why are you a Christian instead of one of the many other religions available?

Because no one's words have ever pierced me like the words of the Lord Jesus Christ. Try explaining love.