I once read where a man took his car to a hotel. As soon as he arrived he immediately declared bankruptcy. How and why did that happen? Let your imagination run loose and see if you can come up with an answer.

The problem with this brain teaser is that there is not enough information to find a clear answer. It reminds me of what may go through the mind of a person who is told to repeat a prayer offered by the speaker, and if they do they will immediately be born again, all their sins will be washed away, and they will become a new creation in Christ Jesus.

Now, if this is said after the speaker has offered a message in which sin and the penalty of sin is clearly defined, and Jesus is described as the only Savior to whom the Holy Spirit will lead us to in order for us to received forgiveness from the Father who is in heaven, then there is enough to go on to make a decision. But to offer a new life in Christ to anyone after talking about how blessed, prosperous, and favored you will become just by saying that prayer is very misleading.

I remember answering the phone years ago and being told I had just won a completely paid trip for two to a resort for three days because my name was picked out of the phone book. The joyfully sounding person on the other end told me that my airfare, hotel costs, meals and other expenses would be fully covered. All I had to do was say, “Yes!”

Thank God I was born of Prussian stock and my German brain began to yell, “Check this out!” So I started to investigate and found out it was a real estate agency trying to sell homes in a resort area, and once you accepted the invitation and went, they were hoping to woo you into buying property. Of course, I politely turned down their invitation.

The sinner’s prayer asking for mercy and forgiveness of sin should only be said after the person is properly informed of what such a confession will do and their responsibilities in accepting God’s answer. It is not always a smooth, prosperous ride after you make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life. So they may end up trying to pay back a loan they really didn’t know they were taking out on some property in heaven that will only be theirs after they die.

Oh yes, the man in the brainteaser. He was playing Monopoly and landed on property with a hotel belonging to another player and didn’t have enough money to pay the rent. That makes a lot more sense, doesn’t it!