Gambling....to do or not to do...that is the question!

[Hisgirl]

I was curious about your opinions on gambling. I'm not talking about taking the family paycheck and placing it all on a horse, losing and not eating all week. I'm talking about buying the rare lottery ticket...in the lottery sponsored by the state.

I believe some sins are just sins...period...not really up for interpretation or personal conviction. But gambling has me a bit stumped.

I mentioned, once to a friend, I had thought about purchasing a lotto ticket (they're one dollar). She chastised me and said it was a sin and not a good use of the money the Lord has given me.

Hmmmm ....I thought about the dollar I had spent on that ice cream earlier...how is it different?

What if I were in Alabama and bought the mega-lotto ticket and won...it's over 200 million dollars. That would go a long way towards helping others, no?

I once heard about a preacher in California who preached hotly against playing the lotto. One day his wife fessed up She had won the lotto.

If a preacher called it sin money.....and I won....and wanted to give a major chunk to the church...do you think he would accept it?

Interested in your opinions...

 

[Andrew]

Funny you should ask this question.

The big debate that has somewhat divided Singaporeans today is whether to go ahead and allow a casino to be set up in Singapore on the Island of Sentosa.

Sadly, the govt has said yes, to not one but 2 casinos. of cse, it's called an Intergrated Resort in that it will have other family stuff besides a casino.

personally, I'm against gambling, so is our church. but we do have a few folks who won the lottery becos God told them to go buy it to help them get out of debt. But these are not the norm and gambling in any form is not encouraged.

 

[heartofheaven]

I know it is our convictions and how we can all handle things. For instance,I used to be pretty much a drinker before I was a Christian over 20 years ago now,and I drank because I couldn't get the nerve to talk to others,very introverted.Well I was on this rampage for years against it,as a Christian,that I would fight with others over it.I started to see things differently,however when I was listening to this Dr. on Hagee with red wine and how it was good for you,and I was on this health diet,at the time, and I started to have a glass at night,felt guilty for the first few times,but it doesn't bother me ,now,for I don't think we need to feel condemned for something that isn't sin....unless you make it one! I am not a drunk,and I don't need it......I do or try to do all things in moderation,now. So, I guess if it doesn't get hold of you in some way......that is each one's own choice/conviction.

 

[Hisgirl]

but we do have a few folks who won the lottery becos God told them to go buy it to help them get out of debt. But these are not the norm and gambling in any form is not encouraged



My friend says the Lord would NEVER tell someone to buy a lotto ticket. Did these folks have any people say that to them?

 

[Andrew]

My friend says the Lord would NEVER tell someone to buy a lotto ticket. Did these folks have any people say that to them?

that's what I used to believe too, until a few of our church members prospered that way. One was a lady who worked in a coffee shop. She had to work on Sundays so she prayed to God that she would be able to not have to work on Sundays so that she could go to church. In short she needed money.

She doesnt buy lottery tickets but one day, a lady at the coffee shop kept pestering her to buy. In the end she bot it just to help the person selling the tickets. She struck first or 2nd prize cant rem of i think 1 million or so.

Anyway, she didnt have to work on Sundays no more and could go to church.

Another testimony is even more amazing. One lady was praying in tongues when she actually heard the Lord giving her the numbers to buy. She bot it and struck first prize. I think she used it to pay off some debt and to help another family member who was in debt.

But again, this is not the norm. These people dont gamble or buy tickets. they just had a need and God met it. He answered exceedingly above what they asked for. Anyway, if you think about it, why limit God. Isn't it like Him to take wealth from the kingdom of darkness to transfer it to his children? Afterall, he owns all the gold and silver in the earth for he made it.

I believe these 2 folks also tithed on their winnings becos they believe God prospered them.

I don't buy lottery tickets btw, but since then, I told myself that if God were to tell me to buy a particular number or at a particular place, thru dream or vision or whatever, I would obey.

 

[Trish1947]

I don't think now that were in God's kingdom of of total provision, if were seeking the kingdom of God first, that there would arise the necessity to buy a lottery ticket. Jesus said give, and it shall be given. Would a person feel led of the Lord to buy one? I suppose it would be possible, but after you bought the ticket and you didn't win.. then there is some deception going on to convience you that maybe it's going to happen at another time perhaps, so you continue to get that ticket every week. What gambling does to a person when they are a Christian, causes you to get your eyes off the Lord, and start trusting in uncertain riches. And gambeling is about as uncertain as it gets. I know, I lived in Reno Nevada for 12 years, and seeing the church put their hopes in the next spin of the reel, or lottery tickets, have seen many people hurting their own souls, losing their families, and personal possessions because of the driving force to take that chance.. It all starts out innocently enough, but it's a snare.

 

[Andry]

The question is not whether gambling is right or wrong.

Does it bring life?

 

[s_gunter]

Funny you should ask this question.

The big debate that has somewhat divided Singaporeans today is whether to go ahead and allow a casino to be set up in Singapore on the Island of Sentosa.

Sadly, the govt has said yes, to not one but 2 casinos. of cse, it's called an Intergrated Resort in that it will have other family stuff besides a casino.

personally, I'm against gambling, so is our church. but we do have a few folks who won the lottery becos God told them to go buy it to help them get out of debt. But these are not the norm and gambling in any form is not encouraged.

Off topic a little... Speaking of casinos, this is on a lot of church signs in my neck of the woods: You Can't spell casino without SIN!

Hey Asaph, you seem to be from my area, maybe you've seen them personally?

I once heard about a preacher in California who preached hotly against playing the lotto. One day his wife fessed up She had won the lotto.

If a preacher called it sin money.....and I won....and wanted to give a major chunk to the church...do you think he would accept it?

Of course he would take the money. What's there to stop him from taking the money?

 

[Trish1947]

Well I didn't want to sound like its the unpardonable you know.. I even won the Mini-jackpot on Quarter-Mania once...but I was convienced to take the moola, and head for the hills. I had my chance, My husband and I were waiting at the airport in Reno for some friends to arrive, and of coarse they have slots in the airports, I dropped in .75 cents, and fortunatly it worked well that day.. one pull of the handle.. But it certainly wasn't a given proposition that this is the way casino's work.. You walk in...and they give you the money..LOL

 

[SavedByGrace3]

We have a lottery systerm here in South Carolina. The state runs it and proceeds go to tech school education. Any SC resident can go to a tech college and have 85% of the tuition paid for.
So in the last 5 years I have purchase maybe 5 or six of these little cards that you scrape and see if you win. But I do not really consider it gambling because the money does go for a good cause. But I would not put more than a few dollars into it!
We use to have video gambling here in SC. People would in fact do just that. Run their whole paycheck into a machine. We outlawed that and started the education lottery.
Georgia I think has something similar.

 

[Trish1947]

We have about the same system here in California.. The Lottery money is to help the schools.. But what everyone is noticing, is since they started this probably about 15 years ago.. our schools are in horrible shape.. The buildings are in dis-repair, and it seems like the Lottery adminstration costs are more than what the schools are actually getting..

 

[akasmom]

I think HOH is on the money here (sorry, couldn't help it ). Seriously, it has a lot to do with personal conviction. I used to drink too and wouldn't now because it's a slippery slope for me - too easy to go from one with dinner to two, then another after, etc. Same with gambling. OK, so you buy one ticket now & then, not a problem. If you start buying $10 worth and skipping lunch to play slots, that's a problem; God knows your personality and heart and will tell you no, I don't want you to go there cause I'll have to clean you up later! I have one in my purse for Sat. nite right now; yes, I felt led to. Could I be wrong? Yup. Could it be Him? Yup, and yes there is scripture on both sides of the argument.

 

[JimB]

The question is not whether gambling is right or wrong.

Does it bring life?

Andry, I have heard you say this before and I am not sure how you mean it. Can you elaborate? How does/doesn’t gambling (for instance) bring life?

The other day I bought my first lottery ticket. I did it on purpose because I found myself proudly telling people that “I have never so much as bought a lottery ticket” and it was becoming a matter of pride with me. I was, in effect, telling people that I was better than they were and it was not being received well. So I shot that sin between the eyes and can no longer boast about my own righteousness regarding the lottery.

As for gambling, gambling is what I am doing with my mutual fund. It’s what I do when I get out on a crowded highway or when I exceed the speed limit or apply for a better job. Only when gambling becomes habitual (immoderate) does it become the master to whom you yield your members to and becomes sin.

~Jim

 

[Trish1947]

I guess alot of people look at gambleing as not a good thing..when they were casting lots for Jesus garment, sort of unseemly at the time. Gambling at the foot of the cross..

I think if people truly knew what the odds are of winning, they probably wouldn't play as much as they do. And what funny if the lottery gets up to 80 million we go get a ticket.. if its only up to 3 million we wont buy one.. whats with that??

 

[heartofheaven]

akasmom..............

 

[New_Wineskin]

I was curious about your opinions on gambling. I'm not talking about taking the family paycheck and placing it all on a horse, losing and not eating all week. I'm talking about buying the rare lottery ticket...in the lottery sponsored by the state.

I have no problem with it . I haven't bought one in a couple of years . I do know that a certain type of person can become addicted to gambling .

I believe some sins are just sins...period...not really up for interpretation or personal conviction. But gambling has me a bit stumped.

I mentioned, once to a friend, I had thought about purchasing a lotto ticket (they're one dollar). She chastised me and said it was a sin and not a good use of the money the Lord has given me.

I suppose that your friend never wasted a dime ? No junk food ? Never wasted gas by using a vehicle instead of walking ? I will stop there . Too many examples .

Hmmmm ....I thought about the dollar I had spent on that ice cream earlier...how is it different?

None except that a part of the lottery money goes to a good purpose . While gambling is a problem for some , it is a game or sport for others . Anyone who has money in the stock market is gambling . It is not investing anymore .

 

[michaeldimmickjr]

In 1 Corinthians 10:23 Paul tells us that "everything is permissable" - but not everything is beneficial or constructive. He also says in verse 31 that whether we eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Your brother in Christ,

Michael

 

[Andry]

Andry, I have heard you say this before and I am not sure how you mean it. Can you elaborate? How does/doesn’t gambling (for instance) bring life?

The other day I bought my first lottery ticket. I did it on purpose because I found myself proudly telling people that “I have never so much as bought a lottery ticket” and it was becoming a matter of pride with me. I was, in effect, telling people that I was better than they were and it was not being received well. So I shot that sin between the eyes and can no longer boast about my own righteousness regarding the lottery.

As for gambling, gambling is what I am doing with my mutual fund. It’s what I do when I get out on a crowded highway or when I exceed the speed limit or apply for a better job. Only when gambling becomes habitual (immoderate) does it become the master to whom you yield your members to and becomes sin.

~Jim

The criteria we must use in life to determine what to do and what not to do, must not be in whether it's wrong or right. It's whether it brings life or death. That was the original plan in the garden of Eden, and that was what Jesus came to earth to do....to bring life.

Jesus didn't come to teach us right from wrong, he came that we might have life, and in its abundance.

So issues such as gambling, marijuana, abortion, must be gauged not from a criteria of right and wrong, but does it bring life?

Because we can still be right, and by every human criteria be right, and still in the end bring death. That was what the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is....in our endeavouring to be right, and 'doing the right thing', in the end, we still bring death.

Take marijuana....sorry, off track for a bit....for some, smoking pot brings life. For most, I dare say it's a path to destruction and death.

For most, gambling as defined as 'entertainment', ie. slots, card games, and casino type environments,....in the end, the house wins, and the losers often lose their house, the homes, their families.....their life.

Ergo....while you may consider your mutual funds as gambling, mine, because it's part of my professional life, has and will bring life to my family.

And when we understand the criteria of life...it takes the judgment out of Christians because for me it may be death, but for you it may bring life.

(Note: I'm not talking about moral standards (eg. 10 commandments) that apply to all of us. I'm talking about those issues that the Bible is either silent or unclear.)

 

[Asaph]

The other day I bought my first lottery ticket. I did it on purpose because I found myself proudly telling people that “I have never so much as bought a lottery ticket” and it was becoming a matter of pride with me. I was, in effect, telling people that I was better than they were and it was not being received well. So I shot that sin between the eyes and can no longer boast about my own righteousness regarding the lottery.


~Jim

I hope you understand this Jim, but this has given me a great deal of respect for you. Many people would not get it.

Asaph

 

[Asaph]

Off topic a little... Speaking of casinos, this is on a lot of church signs in my neck of the woods: You Can't spell casino without SIN!

Hey Asaph, you seem to be from my area, maybe you've seen them personally?

Actually, no I haven't seen them. I used to travel quite a bit in the north part of the state and the church signs were mostly a welcome distraction from the mundane nature of doing so much driving.

And for those interested, Bama doesn't have a lottery, but if they did I would probably play it sometimes. If it entertains a person to play, what is different from that and renting a movie or going out for a nice dinner?

I don't think God measures our spirituality by the number of frowns we produce.

Be greatly blessed tonight,
Asaph