This week is the opening weekend of the 2009 NFL season. For many football fans, it also is the opening weekend for their fantasy football leagues. Fantasy football has been around in some form for decades but, in recent years, has become incredibly popular among men and women of all ages. Successful fantasy owners do their research, put together a strong team, and stay on top of things so that they can make the right adjustments during the season. Similarly, Christians who are maturing in their faith do their research by studying Scripture and learning the basics of the faith; they surround themselves with a strong team of Christian friends, mentors, and prayer partners; and they stay on top of things by devoting themselves to regular spiritual habits. Key Scriptures: Luke 10:25-27; Acts 18:24–19:7; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 3:14-17. On the new ABC show Shark Tank, small-time entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to successful venture capitalists with the hope that these “sharks” will invest in their businesses. Often a shark will offer to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in a start-up business but will expect, in return, to own the majority of the company. The entrepreneurs must then decide whether to hold on to their ideas or sell out to a venture capitalist. As Christians we are often tempted to sell out—to give in to peer pressure or to store up “treasures on earth” instead of “in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-21). Next week LinC talks about how, with faith and courage, we can overcome the temptation to sell out.
