The Gambling Thread

M21, are you saying it is the same thing? That as one gambles, one is ripping the clothes off the crucified Christ in order to mock him? Following this logic, are you saying that when God's holy apostles cast lots to replace Judas, they were in effect sinning?

If you want to look at it this way- God has basically given you everything you have, including cash. If you want to use it to gain financially, then your eyes are not on God, but money...and what was that God said- Matthew 19:24
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Admit it or not, when one gambles whether it is for one dollar or $1000 it is for monetary gain. I think it is arrogant to say, once I tithe or give an offering and all my bills are paid, I can do whatever I want with "my money"- "I already gave God a portion."

If you want to look at it this way- God has basically given you everything you have, including cash. If you want to use it to gain financially and frivolously, then your eyes are not on God, but money...and what was that God said-....

Matthew 19:24
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Admit it or not, when one gambles whether it is for one dollar or $1000 it is for monetary gain. I think it is arrogant to say, "once I tithe or give an offering and all my bills are paid, I can do whatever I want with my money"- "I already gave God a portion."

It is literally throwing money down*the*drain. If you were a zillionaire and spent $50,000 on lottery tickets would that be okay since it did not affect your budget? Then why is it any more the different for that one dollar or ten dollars spent on lotto?

I know ,for example, my church would not take money received originally from any form of gambling.

He takes care of our needs...

Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Matthew 6:24
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

The Lord's Envoy said:

M21, are you saying it is the same thing? That as one gambles, one is ripping the clothes off the crucified Christ in order to mock him? Following this logic, are you saying that when God's holy apostles cast lots to replace Judas, they were in effect sinning?

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That's quite a jump! I think the point is that gambling is not portrayed in a positive light in scripture.

The Lord's Envoy said:

M21, are you saying it is the same thing? That as one gambles, one is ripping the clothes off the crucified Christ in order to mock him? Following this logic, are you saying that when God's holy apostles cast lots to replace Judas, they were in effect sinning?

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Not that it's the same but it is part of the Gospel story and I think it, like all events mentioned, is included for a reason.

Interesting that when the Apostles cast lots and choose Matthias and we never hear of him again.

Just can't articulate it well but the Holy Spirit tells me not to gamble.

Diane_Windsor said:

I have always taken that to mean that Jesus was forgiving them for crucifying Him, not casting lots over His garments.

Diane

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I agree, but it might be for both - or not.

Diane_Windsor said:

My ignorance of this subject will show, but how does gambling take $$ away from another person? Perhaps it's a good thing that I'm ignorant about this stuff!

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Well, if you win, that money doesn't come out of thin air. Someone else bet their money as well. Someone who becomes addicted to gambling will not stop when the money runs out, and no one knows when they will hit the point that they can't stop. That's why casinos don't have clocks or windows, they don't want you to realize how much of your life you've wasted there. Besides exploiting the poor, creating greed and covetousness it's a poor stewardship with our resources.

Diane said:

How does that differ from putting your money into the stockmarket?

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Not that I oppose all gambling, but there's still a difference. After all, the stock market is a calculated risk. Most intelligent and seasoned investors purchase shares based on careful studies of the market, and random chance is only one of many elements which determines their level of profit or loss.

And again, it's not the gambling itself that I oppose. It's the immoral lifestyle of many casino goers that bothers me. If I may make an analogy to the drinking thread: I enjoy a beer now and then, but there are certain bars that I couldn't visit in good conscience.

Oh by the way, I've got a question for those who oppose all gambling. In Joshua 18:10, the Bible records that Joshua cast lots to apportion the land of Canaan to each of the tribes of Israel. And again the Bible records in Acts 1:26 that the eleven apostles cast lots in order to decide whether Joseph or Matthias should serve as Judas Iscariot's replacement. If such authorities as the apostles gambled on this weighty matter, how then can all gambling be sinful? I'm not offended by the anti-gambling belief, but it is hard to reconcile with these verses.

Proverbs 16:33 gives some food for thought on this subject...

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

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Hey, thanks for pointing that out! By the way, here's Adam Clarke's commentary on Proverbs 16:33.


Pro 16:33 -
The lot is cast into the lap - On the lot, see the note on Num 26:55. How far it may be proper now to put difficult matters to the lot, after earnest prayer and supplication, I cannot say. Formerly, it was both lawful and efficient; for after it was solemnly cast, the decision was taken as coming immediately from the Lord. It is still practiced, and its use is allowed even by writers on civil law. But those who need most to have recourse to the lot are those who have not piety to pray nor faith to trust to God for a positive decision. The lot should never be resorted to in indifferent matters; they should be those of the greatest importance, in which it appears impossible for human prudence or foresight to determine. In such cases the lot is an appeal to God, and he disposes of it according to his goodness, mercy, and truth. The result, therefore, cannot be fortuitous.

arunma said:

In Joshua 18:10, the Bible records that Joshua cast lots to apportion the land of Canaan to each of the tribes of Israel. And again the Bible records in Acts 1:26 that the eleven apostles cast lots in order to decide whether Joseph or Matthias should serve as Judas Iscariot's replacement. If such authorities as the apostles gambled on this weighty matter, how then can all gambling be sinful? I'm not offended by the anti-gambling belief, but it is hard to reconcile with these verses.

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Sure - they cast lots in Jonah as well, right? I think we need to look at this in context. It's like drawing straws - if you have a thing and three kids want it - you get them to draw straws, or play "rock, paper, scissors", or "pick a number". Is that gambling?

There is often a centerpiece at a church banquet which goes to the lady with a sticker under her plate. Is that gambling?

Constance

Gambling

I had this topic on another thread in this website. So, this is my repeat for this thread.

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).

Jim said:

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.

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Sure, I do this sort of thing too. Just awhile ago, I made a small bet with one of my fellow physics majors regarding our performance on an upcoming test. We do this for fun, and not for money. I absolutely agree with you that squandering our money is wrong, especially because God places such a strong emphasis on the relief of the poor.

As I've said in many other posts, my main issue is with the other behaviors that usually accompany gambling. I'm sure that your football pools don't generally involve boisterous partying or heavy drinking, so I'm sure God doesn't disapprove of this.

Re: stock market...

Moslems can't invest in FIXED income invesments. By the same logic we should not (and neither should Jews).

Just a point to ponder.

Constance

constance said:

Re: stock market...

Moslems can't invest in FIXED income invesments. By the same logic we should not (and neither should Jews).

Just a point to ponder.

Constance

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I still don't see what's wrong with investing in the stock market (well, aside from the fact that I'm mildly anti-capitalist).

I'm not suggesting that we should not - it's an ultra-fundamentalist interpretation of an OT commandment. A fixed income investment is like a CD (Certificate of Deposit) - where you have a fixed rate of return on your investment.

Constance