As the thread states - is it okay to play poker for living?
I'm 25. I've been doing it for living since 18. Accepted Christ last June, thought that I have to stop playing, but have wounded up in a situation where I have no money, no skills, almost no job opportunities, but I do have a desire to learn a new profession so I have the necessity for some funds to do that and earning some money playing poker is the best option for me as it is something I know how to do and it is easily combined with learning because I can do it whenever I want instead of a 9-5 job. Although I am thinking about learning in the internet so I could also do a 9-5. The problem is that it's really hard to find a job where I am living and most of the job offers are something that I wouldn't like to do. Also I have no job experience so most of employers would choose someone who has over me who doesn't and who has played poker his whole life. But at the same time I realize that it's a lot about how I present myself and it seems that my life gets a little bit more joyous and happy lately (by the grace of God) so I could be a better person at trying to get a job.
Anyway, what do you think about playing poker for living?
I'll give you my perspective, which is that of an ex poker player. I say ex because the Lord has made it known to me that He doesn't want me to play poker. He has curtailed me to the point to where I really don't want to play it anymore, although I am still tempted to do so. It isn't part of my life anymore, though, and you may have trouble seeing how that is possible right now. I understand the love for it, which is not just for money but also the thrill of the game. Just know that God is making you into a new person right now, and you won't love a lot of the things that you have loved anymore, and you may actually grow to despise them because you know God despises them.
If you look at any casino or poker hall in the United States, God isn't getting any glory from them. In pretty much all cases, they breed things that God hates. There are some "responsible" gamblers out there, but many are spending money they don't have because they are addicted. Out here in Montana where gambling is legalized it is a huge problem. Most of the people in the casinos out here are addicts and are destroying themselves and their families. This is the kind of environment in which a lot of poker games will happen, which should tell us something.
The test of whether something is good in the Kingdom of God is not whether it works. That is a philosophy called "pragmatism", that the test of whether something is good is if it works. In the Kingdom of God, the test of whether something is good is if it pleases God. If it doesn't please God it will never work, and although you may find temporal gain here on Earth, you will lose out eternally. The bible says in Romans 14:23 that anything that you can't do in faith is sin. So if you can't play poker in faith then it is sin. If you ignore that you will notice correction happening in your life. You will notice that whatever gain you make through it, things will start to happen which will make that gain disappear.
The bible is clear that God rewards the diligent, those who put in an honest days labor. What that looks like in your life I don't know, but I think in your conscience you already have some idea. I don't know if this is something you will have to struggle with for awhile or whether you will be delivered of it quickly, but I suggest as some already have, to go into a time of prayer and fasting, seeking the will of the Lord.
God has a good plan for you, and He will start to build a foundation in your life which will lead to your prosperity and growth in Him. There is no guarantee you will never have financial or other hardships, as you are having now, but in my experience walking with God is an upward course which He will build on to prosper you. Something that really made a big difference in my life was getting involved in a local church. God has used my church and my local church community to immeasurably bless me. In my walk with Him through teaching and preaching of the word, in discipleship as others came around me to help me in my walk, in growing my gifts in the Lord and eventually ending up in ministry, in prayer and material support, in providing direction for my life, and through fellowship with other believers, some of them becoming life long friends. I highly recommend you start praying and asking God where He would want you to attend church. If you're already in a church, great; try to become more involved. Ask the Pastor about your growth in the Lord and if he could provide some direction.
God will provide you a living, that isn't the question; the question is whether you are going to do what He tells you to do. If you won't and try to do it your own way you will lose out ultimately. Doing things our own way is a 7 2 offsuit for our lives. When we do that we are literally drawing dead(death). The winning hand is walking by the Spirit, being led by Jesus Christ instead of walking in the energy of our flesh, in our own ideas and understanding. Often, what God asks us to do will be contrary to our natural understanding. That's why God says this in Proverbs 3:5-7:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
Hope this helps. I will be praying God will reveal His will for your life.
