Is working in gambling-oriented company as a general staff okay?

[asklife]

Hi everyone,

Really need your advises on the following thoughts but first of all maybe, I'm a Christian, believer in Christ but not a "perfect" one; as I would unfortunately still compromise when it comes to giving up on my ideals. And this is exactly what I'm facing right now.

So, I got a job offer (from a reliable source, as a computer programmer), attended the interview sessions, did some technical tests and stuff and to cut a long story short, I actually am there now! Problem is, the company turned out to be a gambling-driven entity and I WAS really here for some purposes which I will cover further as you read on. During the approximately 5 hours of interview talks, somehow, I got convinced that they run under a safe sandbox environment and they familiarize yourself with the word "online betting" instead of the straightforward "gambling". For one moment, I argued with myself thinking, "This is simply not right." It sort of stirred my conscience that way. So, that was my first impression, because to me, betting is just another terminology for gambling; and I don't want to have anything to do with what God has clearly forbid. But then I started to compromise. They got the best deal so far for junior staff: the remuneration packages, work atmosphere, friendly coworkers, bonuses, etc. to where I began to say to myself, "Hey, I'll just do my job here. That should not count as actually getting involved in gambling. Maybe I'll do a couple of months here and see how it goes." They seem to do what they say so far. They say they don't believe in gambling and they discourage their staff to bet or gamble within the company environment. For whatever that really means, I bought it. FYI, I live in a country where gambling is strictly prohibited.

My simple question is: What should I do? Am I doing okay? I'm now in a 3-month probationary period, on my way to becoming a permanent staff in the company (if no one stops me). Because if this is actually "normal", I would probably start to consider a longer stay. As a side note, I have no personal interest in gambling whatsoever. But as a programmer, I might be required to learn how the system works, test the end-products even though they have the QA (quality assurance) team for that. So again, I'm not sure what to really do. Do I belong here? Or should I carry on with it for career purposes only?

Your helps would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance and JBU!

 

[TheDag]

I think essentially you need to make up your own mind as you will get both yes and no answers.
For me Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding where it was common custom for people to get drunk at. So to me if being involved is sinful then Jesus must have been sinful and was not a suitable sacrifice for our sins. Obviously that is a view I can not accept. Likewise I think since it is not gambling that your doing but work you do not have responsibility for the end actions of people who may use this product. Many christians have thought about this question in terms of weapons manufacturing and decided it is fine.

Some may argue that working in the industry is condoning it. I don't agree with that but if that is how you feel then it would be best to leave for the sake of your conscience.

 

[parsley]

Good question.

I would put out applications other places while trying to steer the work responsibilities toward non-gambling parts of the company. Or work with the company to redirect its products.

If gambling is illegal in your country, how is the company able to operate? You might find yourself in part of a sudden shut-down or lawsuit.

Encouraging employees not to gamble, lol well yes they don't want employees begging for cash advances to pay their utility bills! They know that gambling is always set up with the coordinator making a profit, so the overall odds lead to loss for participants.

And they don't want employees playing on company time.

A job is a job, income and advancement are part of life. But people want their life work to represent what they believe in, and their efforts to go toward a better world. I would guess that internal clashes would get to you after a while, if they haven't already.

There are a lot of jobs that easily conflict with our convictions. GMO food is produced by many farmers, processed by thousands in manufacturing, and developed by dozens of research teams.

Vanity fields -- like producing fingernail polish that sends carcinogens into our bodies, heels that distort our spines, elastic that cuts off our circulation.

Developing, producing, and selling pharmaceuticals with too many side effects.

Fundraising for companies that already have plenty of money and take advantage of the poor.

Working for a manufacturer that sends toxins into our neighborhoods through smoke or water.

Allowing funding organizations to promote agendas and sway mindsets, through arts and media.

We do these things because we need to make a living, but we need to weigh what we are doing with our time. Gain the whole world, lose the soul.

I don't think the answer is everyone flocking to Christian organizations, because that is not a guarantee of preventing harm done. But maybe start with, "what would I like to build up" before asking, "how much do I need to make?"

Think of companies you'd like to work for, and then see if they have jobs. Take a proactive stance. Don't crumble in regret for the decision you've made, but use what you learned to strengthen the way you do things in the future.

It's similar to how this verse explains it -- you can safely change the order of how you make decisions:

Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

 

[LoricaLady]

Personally I think you should pray very deeply and humbly to be led to work that serves the Father and His children. Gambling leads many people into addiction, ruins lives and families often. It is well known to be making those in organizations like the Mafia be more powerful rich and therefore more harmful to our society in general.

"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both YHWH" aka God "and money."

It is not wrong to make money. There were wealthy and righteous people in the Bible like Abraham, David after he became king, Joseph of Aramithea, Lydia (sellers in purple were generally considered to be wealthy.) But while making money we can also serve the Almighty.

It sounds like you have some impressive skills, training and education and that you could have opportunities in other areas - maybe as lucrative, maybe not. "What profits a man if he gains the world and loses his soul?"

I don't know that you would lose your soul by being a wheel that makes the gambling industry go round, but I don't believe that is how Abba wants you to use the talents and resource He has given you. He wants you to use them to make the world a better place in some way.

The very fact that you asked those Qs shows that you want to do what is right. I pray you will be led to a good job where you serve the Father and have satisfaction.

 

[bottledwater]

I make it a general rule for myself. That if something has me to the point, that I have to ask if it is okay. Then it is sketchy enough, that it is not.

 

[jsimms615]

I think I would stay where I was, but feel free to look around for something better, especially if your conscious is bothering you

 

[asklife]

Everyone,

I'm sincerely thankful for all your valuable insights and will make these my future reference points when making decisions again!

I would put out applications other places while trying to steer the work responsibilities toward non-gambling parts of the company. Or work with the company to redirect its products.

If gambling is illegal in your country, how is the company able to operate? You might find yourself in part of a sudden shut-down or lawsuit.

Well, apparently I forgot to mention that the company is actually headquartered somewhere else; my country is just one of their branches, and they don't use the works here and of course they claim to have acquired the appropriate licenses to run here somehow.

I will get back to this forums very often now, you guys are godsends. For now I will pray more earnestly for God's directions... Thanks and take care!

 

[BFine]

Hi everyone,

Really need your advises on the following thoughts but first of all maybe, I'm a Christian, believer in Christ but not a "perfect" one; as I would unfortunately still compromise when it comes to giving up on my ideals. And this is exactly what I'm facing right now.

So, I got a job offer (from a reliable source, as a computer programmer), attended the interview sessions, did some technical tests and stuff and to cut a long story short, I actually am there now! Problem is, the company turned out to be a gambling-driven entity and I WAS really here for some purposes which I will cover further as you read on. During the approximately 5 hours of interview talks, somehow, I got convinced that they run under a safe sandbox environment and they familiarize yourself with the word "online betting" instead of the straightforward "gambling". For one moment, I argued with myself thinking, "This is simply not right." It sort of stirred my conscience that way. So, that was my first impression, because to me, betting is just another terminology for gambling; and I don't want to have anything to do with what God has clearly forbid. But then I started to compromise. They got the best deal so far for junior staff: the remuneration packages, work atmosphere, friendly coworkers, bonuses, etc. to where I began to say to myself, "Hey, I'll just do my job here. That should not count as actually getting involved in gambling. Maybe I'll do a couple of months here and see how it goes." They seem to do what they say so far. They say they don't believe in gambling and they discourage their staff to bet or gamble within the company environment. For whatever that really means, I bought it. FYI, I live in a country where gambling is strictly prohibited.

My simple question is: What should I do? Am I doing okay? I'm now in a 3-month probationary period, on my way to becoming a permanent staff in the company (if no one stops me). Because if this is actually "normal", I would probably start to consider a longer stay. As a side note, I have no personal interest in gambling whatsoever. But as a programmer, I might be required to learn how the system works, test the end-products even though they have the QA (quality assurance) team for that. So again, I'm not sure what to really do. Do I belong here? Or should I carry on with it for career purposes only?

Your helps would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance and JBU!

*Feeling convicted or conflicted? Find yourself another computer
programming job.

When I felt conflicted or convicted about something... I stopped doing
it or I found a more suitable place to work.

 

[znr]

For now I will pray more earnestly for God's directions... Thanks and take care!

Better answers than any of us can give you.

 

[Goodbook]

What bfine said.
Had a friend who had a housekeeping job in the casino. She quit after 3 months. It was low pay and bad conditions, only took it cos she was bit desperate. But i myself would never go for a job connected with gambling, even if paid really well.