Dear Church Family:
Archie Karas is famous for the largest and longest documented winning streak in casino gambling history, simply known as The Run, when he drove to Las Vegas with $50 in December 1992 and then turned a $10,000 loan into more than $40 million by the beginning of 1995. He was a “high roller” by anyone’s definition. A $50 risk payed out a $40 million reward.
When you talk about “risk versus reward” most people think about the world of financial investing, but it applies to many other areas of life, too. We use the “risk to reward ratio” every day when crossing the street or asking someone on a date or buying a new car. In simple terms it’s answering two questions – How much risk are you taking? And how much do you stand to gain by taking that risk? Some people will risk it all for the potential of winning big. Others won’t risk anything in order to play it safe. The reality is we ALL calculate our risks and rewards constantly on every decision we make. It really is true – no risk, no reward.
Jesus once told a story about a man who played the “risk and reward” game and was a big winner. He invested his money and made more. He tore his big barns down and built bigger ones. He finally reached the pinnacle of success and said, “I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’” Luke 12:19
As we conclude our series in Matthew 10, Jesus gives some great advice on risks and rewards. In Matthew 10:39, he said, “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” In other words, if you find all of your satisfaction and reward now, you will lose it later. If you lose it now, you will find it later. In a culture of immediate gratification, this message sounds like a crazy bet. Give it away now to get more back later?
Jesus showed the end result of the rich man’s gamble in Luke 12:20,21. “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” In no uncertain terms, Jesus illustrated that focusing only on reward in this temporary life will result in loss in the life to come… and that life is eternal!
Where are you investing your life? Where are you “spending” yourself and what do you expect to get out of it? Join us this Sunday (see invitation below) to explore what our teacher Jesus has to say in Matt. 10:32 to 42.
In Christ,
Kurt
P.S. Oh yes. Archie Karas lost most of his money in a three-week period in 1995, at one point losing $11 million playing dice. Eventually he was arrested at his Las Vegas home and was found guilty of cheating at cards …and burglary.