Post by pitbull on Dec 12, 2005 9:19:34 GMT -5
While the Bible mentions “casting lots”, no passage in either the Old Testament or the New Testament endorses gambling. It never says that this is an acceptable practice. Casting lots was commanded by God or used for evil purposes in the hands of corrupt men, but never for financial gain or gambling.
The Bible records three ways to gain finances:
1. Gifts – Someone gives it to you out of love or respect. Gambling does not fit this category.
2. Barter – You trade something for something else [e.g. work for a pay check]. Gambling does not fit this category.
3. Stealing – This is taking something that you do not deserve. By process of elimination, this is the category that we must list gambling under.
Gambling corrupts people in many ways. The something-for-nothing craving which gambling stimulates, corrupts character, leads some to lie, cheat and steal. Irresponsibility, child neglect, divorce and delinquency all seem to go hand in hand with gambling. Gambling weakens man’s character, causes him to be reckless, callous, and covetous, It also robs man of the joy of personal achievement and the will to work for a living.
[1 Thessalonians 3:10] "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” Many who gamble do not work, and in fact, use our tax dollars to do so!
[Proverbs 28:8] "He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor." Have you ever known someone who gambles who cares for the needs of those less fortunate? It is unlikely. Why? They want more and more for themselves. They have fallen into the sin known as the “love of money”. [1 Timothy 6:9-10] "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
The winner shares the blame for the broken homes, hungry children, and depression that can become suicidal of the loser from which he got his gain. It does not matter if this is bingo, raffle tickets, or the lottery. Many people think that gambling is okay if it is not at a casino or not a bunch of guys smoking, drinking, and playing cards. Gambling is gambling. It is not right.
The Bible records three ways to gain finances:
1. Gifts – Someone gives it to you out of love or respect. Gambling does not fit this category.
2. Barter – You trade something for something else [e.g. work for a pay check]. Gambling does not fit this category.
3. Stealing – This is taking something that you do not deserve. By process of elimination, this is the category that we must list gambling under.
Gambling corrupts people in many ways. The something-for-nothing craving which gambling stimulates, corrupts character, leads some to lie, cheat and steal. Irresponsibility, child neglect, divorce and delinquency all seem to go hand in hand with gambling. Gambling weakens man’s character, causes him to be reckless, callous, and covetous, It also robs man of the joy of personal achievement and the will to work for a living.
[1 Thessalonians 3:10] "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” Many who gamble do not work, and in fact, use our tax dollars to do so!
[Proverbs 28:8] "He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor." Have you ever known someone who gambles who cares for the needs of those less fortunate? It is unlikely. Why? They want more and more for themselves. They have fallen into the sin known as the “love of money”. [1 Timothy 6:9-10] "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
The winner shares the blame for the broken homes, hungry children, and depression that can become suicidal of the loser from which he got his gain. It does not matter if this is bingo, raffle tickets, or the lottery. Many people think that gambling is okay if it is not at a casino or not a bunch of guys smoking, drinking, and playing cards. Gambling is gambling. It is not right.