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Key Bible Verse: At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures (Titus 3:3a).
Bonus Reading:Romans 6:16-21

Take the case of the 52-year-old named Max who called my show one afternoon with a wild story.

He told me he had over $128,000 in his 401(k) retirement account, and I congratulated him on saving money so well. He said, "Don't give congratulations too fast because I just spent $23,000 learning a system." After counseling thousands of families in financial crisis, I knew what he meant by a "system"; but I knew our audience didn't so I played along.

"What kind of 'system' did you spend $23,000 on?"

He answered, "Blackjack." He had spent a small fortune on trying to beat Las Vegas at its game.

"Did the system work?" I asked, and he said, "If it had worked, I wouldn't be calling you. I lost $67,000 in three trips to Vegas." Greed and the get-rich-quick mentality had led him deep into a gambling addiction that cost him his nest egg. By the time penalties and taxes were paid on the retirement account, there was just barely enough to cover the $90,000 in credit card debt that his gambling problem had created. Max lost 35 years of work and savings in three weekends.

—Dave Ramsey in More Than Enough

Are you in a tough situation? Talk to a godly friend today.

For those hooked on gambling, there's a new outfit you can phone. They'll give you odds that can cure you.

—Anonymous

Adapted from More Than Enough (Viking, 1999).

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Prayer for the Week

God, may I hunger and thirst for righteousness.

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