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Should we gamble?

by gods grace

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I would just like your opinion on gambling. I am a new christian and have recently started to play poker online. I dont play for much money i have no interest in getting rich from it, the only reason i play on the money tables is because people take it a little more serious there. I enjoy playing poker but am wondering am i morally wrong to have these bets no matter how small
 
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Vigil

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by gods grace said:
I would just like your opinion on gambling. I am a new christian and have recently started to play poker online. I dont play for much money i have no interest in getting rich from it, the only reason i play on the money tables is because people take it a little more serious there. I enjoy playing poker but am wondering am i morally wrong to have these bets no matter how small

Nope.
Gambeling, as long as you can control it, and it does not control you, is fine.

When you loose control, then you have a problem and should remove yourself from it.

Hope that Helps
God Bless
Vigil.
 
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Robbie_James_Francis

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Exactly. In the ase of addiction gambling destroys your freedom, which is a great evil. I'd also add that you should consider your needs, those of your dependents and your charitable obligations before gambling. It may be good also to take a couple of weeks every few months in which you do not gambling, just to avoid the temptation to obsession. But gambling in itself is fine.
 
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Chajara

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Meh, I personally wouldn't gamble on a regular basis for the same reason I don't buy expensive clothes, jewelry, numerous shoes and purses, and other things. I simply think the money can be better spent.

Occasionally gambling is okay I think though, as long as you're doing it more for amusement than for actually getting money. If you win some extra cash once, great, but don't expect it to happen often.
 
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LondonsBurning

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Gambling is one of those issues that is not literally spoken out against in the scriptures.

"And Peter Said "Hit Me" And the dealer dids't bestow upon him a new card, and low, he bustedth". -- Blackjack 4:18

We could only wish.

The way I would look at it is that every good gift is given to you from God, and that includes your finances. As long as the believer is careful to make sure that they are giving back to God of what is his, God has no problem with you enjoying the gifts that he has given you, as long as nothing is taking control of you aside from the spirit.
 
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Chajara

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LondonsBurning said:
Gambling is one of those issues that is not literally spoken out against in the scriptures.

"And Peter Said "Hit Me" And the dealer dids't bestow upon him a new card, and low, he bustedth". -- Blackjack 4:18

We could only wish.

The way I would look at it is that every good gift is given to you from God, and that includes your finances. As long as the believer is careful to make sure that they are giving back to God of what is his, God has no problem with you enjoying the gifts that he has given you, as long as nothing is taking control of you aside from the spirit.

Bahaha. I think I love you. :D
 
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Battie

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Some people can do it just for fun, making it a special outing and spending only a certain amount of money. I think that's no better or worse than any other diversion. It become wrong when one is doing it specifically to make money or becomes addicted to it. Of course, one may object to feeding more money to such establishments at all.

One another note, I would strongly advise againts playing poker online. Even if you don't get your personal information ripped off, you are more than likely allowing tons of spyware and adware to get into your computer. Soon you may notice lots of popups and weird stuff running on your machine. Be extremely careful on sites like that or avoid them altogether, and run a spyware scan if you can.
 
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Alecto

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Chajara said:
Meh, I personally wouldn't gamble on a regular basis for the same reason I don't buy expensive clothes, jewelry, numerous shoes and purses, and other things. I simply think the money can be better spent.

Occasionally gambling is okay I think though, as long as you're doing it more for amusement than for actually getting money. If you win some extra cash once, great, but don't expect it to happen often.
I agree fully.

Gambling is just like anything else. There are those who take it far too seriously and get into deep deep trouble because of it. THOSE are the people who shouldnt be gambling
 
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Vylo

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When I play poker I often think of it this way. How would I normally spend my time? A movie costs 9 bucks (plus candy). Pool in my town is 5 bucks an hour. If the amount you spend on poker doesn't exceed the cost of your normal recreational activities, you are fine. If you find yourself gambling dangerous amounts of cash that could affect your lifestyle or normal spending habits, you need to cut back or stop entirely.
 
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JimfromOhio

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As a Christian, I do admit that I have played lottery and been part of the football and basketball pool. I do this for fun rather than greed. My motive have to be determined why I am playing (gambling). I like to have fun so I do put in a few bucks in football or basketball pools and lottery once in awhile.

Gambling is a tricky word because many of us put our funds in stocks for investment and that is considered alittle bit gambling. The key is "how you are using God's money?"

Its not just the Baptists have a problem with gambling. There are many denominations similar to Baptist's beliefs have a problem with gambling.

The Bible does not specifically forbid gambling, but there are several biblical principles that should make MOST Christians hesitate to participate:

1. God presents work as the normal way to get the money we need
(Eph 4:28; II Thess. 3:12; Prov. 31). When a person cannot work, the second choice is prayer (Phil. 4:6, 19).

2. All my income belongs to God, not me (Psa. 24:1), and I am not free to use it as I wish. I am a steward, who should use it for God's purposes. Christians are called on to meet the needs of their family (I Tim. 5:8), and share with others, particularly Christians who have needs (2 Cor 8-9; Gal. 6:6-10; 3 John). Ask: Does God want me to use His money to buy a lottery ticket?

3 God uses money to accomplish important purposes in my life:
a. Meet basic needs (Matt. 6:11; I Tim. 6:8).
b. Build character (Phil 4:10-13)
c. Give direction, by providing or withholding resources.
d. Helping others through me.
e. Show His power by providing miraculously.

Ask: Does gambling accomplish these results? Am I looking to God or to the lottery for my needs?

4 Greed and covetousness are sin
(Ex. 20:18; I Tim. 6:9; Heb 13:5), and these are motives in most gambling.

5 Proverbs warns of disaster for people who want to get rich quickly
(28:20,22).

6 Wealth that comes easily goes just as easily
(Prov. 13:11).

7 Wealth gained the wrong way breaks up families
(Prov. 15:27).

8 Gambling can be addictive, and even if you don't fall prey to it as a compulsive habit, your example may cause others to be enslaved by it (I Cor. 8:9, 13).
 
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