[BBC List] scratchers and cigarettes at honey fa'ms

[Mike Abendroth]

Gambling Is a Sin 
H. York
The following article originally appeared in the Western Recorder in
February 2005.

Gambling Is Sin

If no passage of Scripture explicitly forbids it, can we with confidence
claim that gambling is wrong, a moral evil, sin? With good reason,
Christians are hesitant to label sins that the Bible doesn’t mention, yet we
often have to distill principles from the Bible that we apply to
contemporary situations. Pornography, computer hacking, or cheating on tests
aren’t mentioned in the Bible either, yet believers who want to live like
Jesus know intuitively and correctly that these behaviors run counter to the
will of God. While biblical texts may not mention them explicitly, biblical
principles speak to them directly. 
In the same way, the ethics of Scripture clearly teach that gambling is
wrong and a sin against God, not for one single reason but for many. The
slot machine, casino, or poker table are not for believers submitted to the
Lordship of Christ.

Many Christians object that if they budget a certain amount of their
discretionary entertainment funds for gambling and don’t go beyond that,
what’s the harm? After all, Christian people waste money on all kinds of
diversions. Far from convincing me that gambling is not necessarily wrong,
this particular argument actually confirms it in my mind, because it reveals
a complete disregard for what one’s participation in gambling does to
others. This argument reveals a self-centeredness and lack of concern for
weaker brothers and sisters that believers ought to find disturbing (Romans
14:21). In reality, even Christians who are not personally hurt by it are
not free to participate in an industry that preys on the weak and the poor.
The Bible is full of references to God’s view of economics. In the garden of
Eden, even before sin entered the world, God established a work ethic by
which humanity was to exist (Genesis 1:28-30) Part of God’s creation of man
in His own image was that man would work for his food. While God provided
it, Adam and Eve had to exercise “dominion” over the plants and animals and
till the soil, working for their sustenance. After they sinned, work changed
to a more laborious task, but it remained the way God provided for them. In
other words, God’s way is that we should earn what we get.

Think about these reasons why gambling violates Christian principles:
Working and investing for a living is based on a win/win scenario, but
gambling is always win/lose. God put His stamp of approval on commerce and
work. When a carpenter builds a cabinet and gets paid, both parties win. One
of them gets the cabinets she wanted, and one of them gets the money he
desired. They can both feel good about the transaction. Not so with
gambling. Someone always loses and pays a price.

Gambling is motivated by greed. Let’s be honest and admit that greed lies at
the heart of all gambling. The desire to get something for nothing is really
another name for covetousness (Exodus 20:17; Prov. 21:25-26).

Gambling is a wasteful use of the Lord’s money. I doubt that many Christians
who gamble tithe, but even if they do, New Testament Christians understand
that God doesn’t have the right to only ten percent of our money, but all of
it. Even though I am a tither, I am still required to be a steward of all I
have because it belongs to God. I am no freer to gamble with God’s money
than I am with anyone else’s. Even though others might waste the Lord’s
money on equally frivolous things, their sin doesn’t excuse mine.
Gambling shows a lack of love for my neighbor. If I really love my neighbor,
I want only what is for his good (Matt. 22:39, 1 Cor. 10:24). When
legislators talk about putting casinos on the state line so we can prey on
the greed and weakness of our neighbors, they reveal the harmful assault
that gambling really is. Can I in good conscience support something that
preys on the weaknesses and indulges the worst instincts of the precious
people around me?

Gambling fails to consider innocent families. We might be tempted to think
that if a person gambles away all of his money, then that is his problem and
serves him right. But what of his ten-year-old son who can’t afford school
supplies? What of his wife who has to work to pay off the credit cards she
didn’t even know she had? What of his ailing parents who cannot count on his
help in their senior years? What of his daughter’s college education?
Proverbs 15:27 says “A greedy man brings trouble to his family,” and nowhere
is that more obvious than in the gambling industry.
Gambling shows no concern for God’s glory. A Jesus-follower should try to
glorify God in everything (1 Cor. 10:31), and use his or her money to
accomplish good for the kingdom (Matt. 6:19-21, 24).
Gambling is not an act of faith but a game of chance. Paul wrote that
“Everything that is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). The Christian life
is to be lived in dependence on God to meet all needs according to His
glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19).

Jesus wouldn’t do it. Can you picture Jesus sitting at a slot machine with a
cup full of quarters? He was interested in doing His Father’s business,
alleviating suffering and grief, not contributing to it.
posted by Hershael W York


Charis,
 
Mike Abendroth
 
"Make us choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to
be contented with half truth when whole truth can be won.   Endow us with
courage that is born of loyalty to all that is noble and worthy, that scorns
to compromise with vice and injustice and knows no fear when right and truth
are in jeopardy."
  - West Point Military Academy Cadet Prayer
 
HYPERLINK "http://www.bbcchurch.org"www.bbcchurch.org
 


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