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Sins of society. Is it ok for Christians to Gamble?. Gambling in our society. 48 states permit or sponsor legalized gambling in one form or another In 2013, Americans spent $119 BILLION dollars gambling (theweek.com, February 5, 2014)
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Sins of society Is it ok for Christians to Gamble?
Gambling in our society • 48 states permit or sponsor legalized gambling in one form or another • In 2013, Americans spent $119 BILLION dollars gambling (theweek.com, February 5, 2014) • 2015 lottery sales in the U.S were 73.9 Billion (http://www.naspl.org/faq, North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries)
Gambling in our society • An industry built upon sin! • Associated with vices –drinking, sexualization, worldliness, etc. • Crime often found associated with it • It can be an addictive behavior • Personal and psychological problems
The Christian & gambling • The Bible does not say, “You shall not gamble” • But, as with many actions, we need to weigh the principles of scripture and determine if it is something to be advocated or avoided (Heb. 5:14)
What is gambling? • Gambling – engaging in a game of chance with stakes • Compulsive gambling – is a disorder with the inability to resist the impulse to gamble.
What is gambling? • Gambling is NOT: • Simple risk • Investing • Paying a fee to enter a contest • Drawing straws to see who goes first, etc. (unless stakes involved) • Buying insurance • Games with dice and cards
What is gambling? • Gambling has 3 criteria: • Chance – a device that randomly determines a result • Consideration – aka, a wager. Stakes required to participate • A prize – winners and loosers
What is gambling? • Examples in the Bible: • John 19:23-24, soldiers gambled for the tunic of Jesus. • Judges 14:12, Samson poses a riddle with stakes
Gambling & Bible Principles • No a legitimate Biblical means of earning • Work, 1 Timothy 5:18, Ephesians 4:28, 1 Thessalonians 4:11 • Barter or exchange – Matthew 13:45, 46 • Gifts – Ephesians 4:28
Gambling & Bible Principles • Poor stewardship • We are stewards, 1 Peter 4:10-11, 1 Corinthians 4:2 • Gambling can lead to neglect and abuse of family, debt, waste of resources, etc. • The success of the industry is based upon your willingness to spend your money on it.
Gambling & Bible Principles • Poor stewardship • What about recreational (responsible) gambling? There is NO virtue in it as a hobby.If it is just a hobby, why not play the game without the stakes?There are other principles that conflict with it!
Gambling & Bible Principles • Works of the flesh • Covetousness – a strong desire to acquire more and more material possessions, especially what others have or MORE than them!BDAG, the state of desiring to have more than one’s due, greediness, insatiableness…”Colossians 3:5, Hebrews 13:5
Gambling & Bible Principles • Works of the flesh • Greed – the selfish pursuit of gain. A desire to have more for yourself and less for others. 1 Timothy 6:9-10, 17-18, cf. Eph. 4:28 • Question: Is gambling “uncertain riches”?
Gambling & Bible Principles • The “golden rule” • Matthew 7:12 • Philippians 2:3-4 • The premise of gambling is to put up stakes with the hopes that YOU win while the OTHER parties lose
Gambling & Bible Principles • The “golden rule” • Gambling has done great harm to society – teens with problems, crime – from murder to theft, drugs and prostitution, family problems, debt, increased likelihood of suicide, etc.
Gambling & Bible Principles • The “golden rule” • “But these problems don’t affect me.” If you win, HOW much of your winnings ARE a result of irresponsible and sinful behavior? Are you partaking in the sins of others? Romans 13:8-10Ephesians 5:5-7
Gambling & Bible Principles • It can become an addictive behavior • We need to be cautious of anything that can be addictive. • We are to exercise self-control and soberness, both of which are forfeited with addictions. • 1 Corinthians 6:12
Gambling & Bible Principles • It affects your influence on others • 1 Corinthians 15:33, evil company corrupts good habits • Is gambling letting our light shine to glorify God? Matthew 5:13-16
Gambling & Bible Principles • It affects your influence on others • Your influence could negatively affect the gospel and others, cf. Galatians 2:13-14 • We must consider others in what we do 1 Corinthians 8:12-13, Romans 14:15Matthew 18:6-7
Gambling & Bible Principles • At best it is questionable behavior • Do you have any doubt? Romans 14:22-23 • 1 Thessalonians 5:22, we are to abstain from every form of evilEphesians 5:11, Galatians 5:21 – “such like:
Justification for gambling • Look at the good it accomplishes • If it takes a vice to support a good work, what does that say about society? The end does not justify the means! Look at the problems it creates (as we have seen)
Justification for gambling • What about charities? • Consider the principles!Why not make an outright donation where the charity gets 100% of the donation?
Justification for gambling • What about wagering on a game of skill? (i.e. sports betting, etc.) • Consider the principles! It is still gambling.You are wagering on an outcome that has not yet been determined. Most such betting is odds based upon risk. Further, there is a reason those involved in a sport cannot gamble therein!
Like many other worldly activities, gambling is simply not needed in the life of a Christian How is your influence in these matters?