Article - The Christian & Gambling [Part 1]
Can a Christian go down to the local casino or gaming center and gamble? Do God and the Bible sanction gambling? The Bible answers both of these questions with a resounding “No”! With the recent rise of gambling in our country and the growth of casinos, the Christian must honestly consider the biblical subject of gambling. Let us consider several reasons why gambling is a sin.
When a person gambles, he is not a good steward of the things God has given him. The Bible says that every good and every perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). The Christian’s responsibility to these gifts is to use them wisely (1 Peter 4:10; Luke 12:42). Gambling is a complete waste and squandering of God’s gifts. The Bible teaches that all we have ultimately belongs to God (Haggai 2:8; Psalm 50:10-12). It is sad to see so many families suffering for food and the necessities of life because father or mother had to go and gamble away their paycheck. Gambling is a sin because it violates the stewardship principle.
The gambler does not practice the golden rule. Jesus said, “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also unto them” (Matthew 7:12). If I cheat, trick, or outsmart someone else out of their money, then I am not fulfilling the golden rule. I do not want anyone to beat me out of my hard earned money, do you? You cannot say you love your neighbor and then turn right around and beat him out of his money at gambling. The practice of gambling uses the iron rule “might makes right.” Gambling is a sin because it violates the golden rule.
The practice of gambling breeds laziness and keeps people from making an honest living. The person who gambles builds his whole life around the fact that one day he is going to hit it big and bring in a bunch of money. As a result of this thinking, gamblers can become lazy, dishonest, and a menace to society. The Bible says, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thes. 3:10). I know people today who are selling their welfare check and their children’s WIC stamps to go and gamble. How sad! Gambling is a sin because it promotes laziness.
Dear friend, gambling is becoming more and more the plague of the USA. We must realize that gambling is sinful and that God does not condone it. When the time comes to vote on gambling, may Christians band together and vote “NO”.
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