Gambling
-Introduction
-This morning we’ll be addressing a requested topic - a topic that some see as somewhat
controversial. This morning, we’ll be addressing the topic of gambling.
-I could fill this lesson with a variety of statistics, but I’ve chosen not to.
-When it comes to stats, a person can easily say - Those numbers pertain to other
people, you know, the “problem” gamblers.
-Yet, I don’t know of anybody who purposely becomes a “problem” gambler - Just as
I’ve never met anybody who said they had purposely become an alcoholic or drug addict.
-So, stats don’t always deliver the impact that they could or should.
-This morning, I want to focus on the topic of gambling in light of the principles of God’s
word.
-God’s Principles
-One of the many wonderful components of the nature of God is His consistency - the fact that
He does not change - Mal 3:6, Ps 102:26-27, Jas 1:17.
-Therefore, the principles given by God through His word remain applicable & authoritative.
-Unfortunately, I’m afraid that this is a neglected aspect of God’s word.
-Too many times, we simply look for a “thou shall” or a “thou shalt not” statement.
-Too many times, in the absence of such a statement, people conclude that they simply
have the right to make whatever decision they want and act accordingly.
-Since there is not a passage that says, “Thou shalt not gamble,” many have viewed this topic
as a “gray area” and have then made whatever decision they desired regarding it.
-Yet, there is no statement in the scriptures that says, “Thou shalt not involve thyself with
pornographic material.” Surely, we wouldn’t view it as a gray area and lend support for it.
-My point is this: The absence of a “thou shalt not” statement does not necessarily cast it
into a gray area.
-Such cases need to be viewed in the light of scriptural principles.
-The Golden Rule
-In the case of the topic of gambling, one single verse sheds tremendous light on the subject -
Matt 7:12 (The Golden Rule).
-In gambling, the only way a person “wins” is for others to lose. If others do not lose, you will
not win.
-Gambling facilities (casinos, race tracks, etc.) are businesses. Like any other business, to
continue to operate, they must make a profit. They make a profit through the losses of
others. And, many of them make very large profits. In other words, many people are
losing a lot of money.
-Such contributes to family troubles, economic hardships, decreased worker
productivity, increased crime, etc.
-Matt 7:15-20 - Context is obviously false teachers - “by their fruits ye shall know them”
-Yet, consider this: What type of fruit does gambling produce?
-Good Stewardship
-Gambling violates the principles set forth in the scriptures regarding proper stewardship.
-We need to properly manage the things that we have. We need to remember that we have
them due to the goodness, grace and mercy of God - Jas 1:17.
-We won’t go into this with any depth but let’s quickly make reference to several passages
that address stewardship:
-Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14-30)
-Parable of the Pounds (Luke 19:12-27)
-Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13)
-These passages reveal that earning a gain is not wrong as long as it is done within the
guidelines of the scriptures. These passages teach us to be honest, hard workers who
handle our finances and possessions in a proper, responsible manner.
-Gambling - hoping to get something for nothing - get quick rich idea - simply doesn’t
fit within these principles.
-Often times it is greed and covetousness that motivates the gambler. Both are condemned.
-What About “Recreational / Entertaining” Gambling?
-What about the person who sets a specific amount to gamble with simply for recreation or
entertainment?
-Somebody might say, “I set aside $50 for gambling. When the $50 is gone, I stop.”
-Again, how do you know that you’ll be able to stop.
-That’s an interesting and odd thing about gambling - it’s addictiveness on both ends:
The winner wants to win more and the loser wants to recoup his losses.
-Somebody might say, “You might spend $50 fishing or golfing for recreation. I just
spend my $50 gambling.”
-If somebody sees me fishing or golfing, my influence for Christ has not been
hindered. If somebody sees me at the casino, what does that do to my Christian
influence? Obviously, there’s a difference. And, fishing and golfing (in their
proper places) do not violate the principles of scripture.
-Are we saying that it doesn’t really matter what we do, just the extent at which we do it?
Is anything ok as long as it is done in moderation? Surely, we wouldn’t want to take
that stand. - drinking, drugs, fornication, theft, etc....?
-Summary and Invitation
-“...[T]he Continental Congress passed a resolution on October 12, 1788, declaring their
condemnation of gambling: Whereas true religion and good morals are the only solid
foundations of public liberty and happiness: Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby earnestly
recommended to the several states, to take the most effectual measures for the encouragement
thereof, and for the suppressing theatrical entertainments, horse racing, gaming, and such other
diversions as are productive of idleness, dissipation, and a general depravity of principles and
manners (Journals…, 1823, 3:85)... But that majority view has now become the minority view.
If the Continental Congress was correct in its claim that “true religion and good morals are the
only solid foundations of public liberty and happiness,” then America is moving swiftly down a
road that will result in “a general depravity of principles and manners.” School Refuses Lottery
Funds, by Dave Miller, Ph.D. - http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2619.
-Let’s consider these important principles of the scriptures and understand that a Christian should
have no involvement with gambling. Let’s set ourselves apart from it and pursue God’s will.