“I’d rather be lucky than good” is a foolish alternative to “I’d rather be good than lucky”.
Proverbs 16:33
Although the Tiny Words. Big Life. blog doesn’t advocate their patronage, their mere existence is a testament to greed, stupidity, and proves the subject of today’s quote.
But before I reveal the target of my verbal wrath, I’ll acknowledge that some people find enjoyment in “playing the game”… which is an altogether different subject and one that I personally have a hard time grasping.
You see, I’ve never enjoyed throwing money away. I fail to find the entertainment in that.
So who or what am I talking about?
Casinos.
Okay, before you jump on me about talking negatively about something you might enjoy, (and perhaps “stupidity” is a bit harsh), let me say this:
Sure, casinos employ a bunch of people – which is good. And they can sponsor 4th of July parades and everyone has a good time. I’ll give you that.
But in the end, they prey on people’s desire for a quick fix… all based on a run of good luck.
Today’s Tiny Words. Big Life. quote reminds us that we would be best served to rely on knowledge, which is the result of an effort to learn, rather than waiting for luck to fall in our laps.
Back in the day, I graduated from college with a major in Statistics (and computer programming). Now granted, the last time I used most of the statistical methods I learned there, was the last day of class. But I learned a lot… like how Games of Chance work – which of course are the bread and butter of our benevolent corporate citizens – the casinos.
Notice that I didn’t use the phrase, “Games of Luck”.
Here’s the bottom line… If you think casinos make their profits based on luck, you’re their favorite customer.
They know, as well as I do (based on my extensive studies way back when), exactly how many times an Ace will appear from a deck of cards as they’re turned over in a game of Blackjack. They can calculate, with a high-degree of accuracy, regardless of how many times you roll ’em, the number of times the dice will turn up 7 in a game of Craps.
So yes, luck has nothing to do with it.
Today’s Tiny Words. Big Life. Bible verse comes from King Solomon, a man who knew something about being wise – which by definition excludes being foolish.
He says that although circumstances come and go in life, perhaps appearing in a random and haphazard way, their outcome is determined by God.
After all, according to Psalm 147:4, He determines the number of stars and He calls them each by name. Put another way in Luke 12:7, Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Nothing catches God by surprise.
The Tiny Words. Big Life. takeaway is this: Pray to be driven by the only Game of Chance with a 100% probability of success – eternal salvation from God through His only Son, Jesus Christ. Pray to seek enjoyment in things that glorify God and not those that satisfy desires of the flesh. Pray to be thankful for all things that God grants to us, both physical and spiritual.
And the next time you feel the urge to show the casinos how it’s done, drop by your local homeless shelter and just hand over the wad of cash that’s burnin’ a hole in your pocket.
It doesn’t take a PhD or statistics major to know the outcome of that transaction will be more beneficial than the toilet full of money you’re about to flush down the drain.
Proverbs 16:33
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.