Hedging Your Bets

Have you ever “hedged” a bet? Have you ever not gone “all in,” holding a little back just in case? Whatever the topic or issue, you have chosen to keep something “in reserve.” Well, I doubt you are alone. I doubt you are the only one who has ever done this. Two main areas of hedging occur in our finances and in our love relationships. In these we tend to be leery of going all in.

This realization hit last week when I heard a song on the radio from many years back. My son said he knew of the song and it was not from the oldies radio station so I felt a little better. It was from Supertramp and it was called “Give A Little bit.” Here is the verse that caught my attention: “Give a little bit; Give a little bit of your love to me; I'll give a little bit; I'll give a little bit of my life for you.” There are times in life when going all is not prudent. I’m not sure how smart you would be to invest heavily in pet rocks or eight track tapes. Those would not be wise investments and I would stay away from any financial manager who recommended such purchases. These certainly couldn’t be good for your portfolio. But we do tend to operate under this philosophy in many aspects of our lives, especially in our relationship with Jesus Christ. We want to hedge our bets, not go all in; just in case Jesus isn’t who he says he is or does not fulfill his promises.  We hedge because we have some uncertainties about heaven or hell. So, just in case, we hold something back so as not to look silly or foolish. It’s a way of saving face. We may even believe it helps our reputation around town and with our neighbors. We won’t be known as a religious “freak” or “zealot.” The ultimate question is, “What does Jesus Christ think about this?” Interestingly enough Jesus had a lot to say on this subject. Jesus never did anything half way and he expects the same attitude from those who claim to be his disciples. Jesus wants us – his followers – to act as he did. When confronted with the seemingly unanswerable question, or at least unanswerable without offending someone, Jesus said that the greatest commandment was this: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30) The key word that Jesus used to negate any hedging was “all.” When Jesus said all, he meant all and nothing less than all. If we do not give him our all as he asks we fall short – way short – of what he calls us to do and be. There are times in life when part of something is better than all of nothing. This isn’t one of those times.

If it were possible, this would put us into a quandary. Which part of the blessings of being “in Christ” would you want to forego? This reminds me of some churches that go by the moniker of “Full Gospel” churches. These churches are unique because they have it all, practice it all, and believe in it all. At the same time, this implies that not all churches are full gospel. Thus, some must be partial gospel. I must confess I have attended a couple of partial gospel churches but they would never advertise that fact. These churches would view the blessings and promises of Jesus as a smorgasbord of services and rewards that are available. You choose which ones you want to receive and those you want to do without. Picture yourself in front of Jesus saying, “I’ll have a half healing with a side of medium love and an extra-large mercy! Hold the sacrifice and obedience!” Do you see where that would leave you? Far too many people though are willing to settle for less than all Jesus Christ can and will provide. It’s a shame but it is reality.

This is further compounded by our secret agent status as Christians. We are so deep under cover that nobody would suspect that we belong to Jesus Christ (if we ever truly do at this point!). This too is an aspect of hedging our bets. And, surprise, surprise, Jesus speaks to this also. “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33) This is an important issue. If we imagine it from an eternal perspective, where should someone end up who only gave Jesus 50%? Are there levels or degrees in heaven? I don’t think so. Heaven and entrance into it is certainly an all or nothing proposition.  You are either in or you are out.  The entrance requirements are simple – yet wholly complete. In fact there may even be a sign at the pearly gates saying, “NO HEDGERS ALLOWED!” What a disappointment that will be to so many people. At that point it will be too late to correct having been a practical less than 100% disciple. It will be in that moment people will realize that being a sold out follower of Jesus Christ is what it takes to get in.

Think about other relationships you may be involved in. The one that closest resembles what Jesus has in mind is the marriage relationship. Too many couples view marriage as a 50-50 deal. This comes up short by at least 50% each. The marriage relationship is based on an all in mentality with no hedging your bets. This may explain why the divorce rate is so high because people never knew the price they should or would have to pay for their marriage to be successful. Jesus sets the bar high even to the extent that looking on another woman with lust is considered adultery. (Matthew 5:28) If your spouse is not front and center in your thoughts and in your life – constantly – you have to ask yourself if you are really married. Repeated violations of this adds more credence to the hedging your bet principle.

God doesn’t want just part of us. He gave us his all in his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus gave us his all when he died for us on the cross. Imagine for a moment if Jesus had said, just prior to his passion, “Well, I’ve done enough for them. I know it was only a portion of my Father’s plan, but it is good enough. Besides, there are so many who will never believe or commit wholeheartedly. Why should I give them my all?” We would be plumb out of luck! We would be disappointed and without hope. We would still be lost.

When we accept the challenge – and trust me, it is a huge, relentless challenge – to follow Jesus Christ and love him with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength we have not hedged our bets or held anything back. The rewards are worth it. Go all in with Jesus and you will never regret not hedging your bet. Why? Because it’s not a bet, it is a sure thing!