I am not a gambler by nature. I do not play the lottery, the slots, or the tables, but I do know the meaning of the expression, “Place your bets.”

In short, when one places their respective bet, they are relying upon their intuition, their strategy, and expertise, for a given game or proposition. The hope is that fate or fortune will favor them regarding the bet or wager. As is true of all gambling, there is never a sure bet no matter what anyone says.

Because there may be many painful upsets in recent memory that will trigger readers who are current sports fans, I reach back to 1913 and the Kentucky Derby. That year, Donerail, a 91-1 underdog won the derby. A two-dollar ticket, a fair amount one-hundred-plus years ago, would have yielded $184. It should not have happened, but it did.

In life, we place bets all the time. We may invest, trade, or market ourselves, with an eye on the prize of fulfillment.

What is never bet on, well perhaps life insurance is an exception for those we love and leave behind, is how we might extend our own lives temporally or, more so, eternally. There is simply no way to wager because death, as it turns out, is a sure bet if ever there was one. We may hang-on with modern medicine and medical practices, but we will all fail in the final furlong.

Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” No doubt, you have seen gamblers and prognosticators pour over the possibilities of any given betting option. In each situation, the proverbial scales are tested to see which path is most likely for a profitable outcome. Socrates said as much regarding life. Ignorance is not bliss and indifference or apathy is not wisdom.

This week, I would ask you to consider the notion of God.

First, does it seem reasonable to pursue betting on a supreme creator?

Second, what arguments in science and philosophy can you apply to the study of the wager?

Third, based upon your insights, how much are you willing to risk?

Finally, if you are compelled to bet everything you have and you must make a bet, as no bet is the same as a losing bet regarding eternal matters, where will you place your marker?

This is the true nature of Christian religious faith. The Apostle Paul once said, “And if Christ has not been raised (from the dead), our preaching is useless and so is your faith… And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile… If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

Christians either have the right bet or the wrong one. More importantly, the faith wager cannot be made for you. Choose wisely and place your bet carefully.

Kent Simmons is the pastor of Canyon Community Church in Kingman, AZ. He can be reached at canyon-church.com.