The Game of Monopoly
Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. I would get this card quite often it seemed while heading to jail in the game of Monopoly. A game where the strategy is to control profitable real estate and make the most “play money”. The winner rises to the top when all the other players are driven into bankruptcy. Properties like Railroads, Boardwalk, Park Place, and many more create a boundary around the board. Buying houses and motels on these properties will then multiply the earnings.
However, I cannot recall ever playing this game to completion. Either I, or a fellow competitor would ultimately get bored or frustrated, and the game would prematurely come to a screeching halt. Even though this was only a game, and the money was pretend, it eerily seemed that Monopoly would evolve into a competition of possession. The possession of properties become the most important thing.
Just a Game?
Come to think of it, I can’t help but wonder how much of this reality is happening in modern society. People obsessed with wealth and material goods like in a game of Monopoly. One person blessed with an abundance of assets and another with none. No doubt going on today, but the difference is where the focus lies.
In Monopoly, the winner is the one who ends up with the most, because that is where the focus lands. However, in the life of a Christian, one must focus on where it all comes from. Jesus gives us a get out of jail free card. He tells us in Luke 12:15, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Jesus warns us of turning our life into a game of Monopoly. Letting greed control our destiny, thus blocking any relationship with God.
Focus on Faith
God doesn’t care if we profit from Boardwalk and Parkway and buy houses and hotels. So long as we do not sacrifice our relationship with Him. Getting wrapped up with that Monopoly mentality. As Jesus said in Luke 12:21, “A person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” We can do this by praising God for everything we have. “Everything comes from God; everything exists by his power; and everything is intended for his glory,” (Romans 11:36).
Are you investing in your relationship with God? Positioning yourself to win against the greedy forces of the evil one. Seeking God, the one who gives us all things, as our strategy to win. You will find that once you seek Him first, all these other things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33). It’s a matter of setting priorities, and God wants to be first in your life.
So, regardless of not passing go, going straight to jail, or profiting from properties. We must focus our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Dear Lord, forgive me when I get caught up in the Monopoly game of life. Help me reset my priorities and be a winner with my relationship with You. Amen.
Luke 12:15
Luke 12:21
Romans 11:36
Matthew 6:33
Hebrews 12:2
— Phil
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Today’s Scripture
Luke 12;15
Parable of the rich fool
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Luke 12:21
21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Romans 11:36
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Matthew 6:33
Do not be anxious
31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Hebrews 12:2
Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.