THE CHRISTIAN AND GAMBLING

INTRODUCTION

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The wine which was drunk in Old Testament times was a very diluted wine mixed with water. Its alcohol content was likely 0.5% as compared to the wines available today which are 10-15%. Alcohol sold today is the result of distillation, a process which greatly increases the alcohol content of whiskey and other drinks. WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS. The Bible warns that “those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge men into destruction and ruin.” (1 Timothy 6:9) Gambling is rooted in greed, and greed is so corrosive that the Bible lists “greediness” among several behaviors that should be strongly avoided. Dear God, I am ashamed, I have disappointed you again and again choosing gambling over you. I have completely lost my soul to the devil of gambling and I am so very tired. 8 years in gambling bondage is far too long. Jehova I want to be saved by the blood of Christ. Jehova I want peace in my heart and soul. The ‘casting of lots’ was a popular gambling practice in ancient Rome and there are even references in biblical texts that Roman guards cast the lots for the garment of Jesus during the Crucifixion. Gambling was used to settle disputes or reveal ‘gods’ answers to questions. Gambling is a difficult issue because if it is done in moderation and only on occasion, it is a waste of money, but it is not necessarily evil. People waste money on all sorts of activities. Gambling is no more or less of a waste of money than seeing a movie (in many cases), eating an unnecessarily expensive meal, or purchasing a worthless item.

For years America has become the land of golden opportunity. And it is. A man or a woman can apply themselves and make a good life in this land of freedom. The rags to riches story is constantly repeated like a broken record in this country.

And now there is a new American dream that for some is more of a good old fashioned nightmare. It promises, and delivers on its promises, to make a person a multimillionaire overnight. The cost? Only $1.00. Or one’s paycheck. According to one source, in some states the big days when lottery tickets are sold is when Social Security and Welfare checks come out.

Have not we all at some time dreamed of having immense sums of money? Example: Chicago man with 40 million dollars. “Wish I had that and he had twice as much.”

Why does not God let only Christians win? Why does He not let more Christians win? Why doesn’t He let me win? These are honest questions we have faced or will face sometime.

In order to understand the Christian position on lotteries we are going to ask, and try to Biblically answer, three questions:

1. What Is Money?

2. Is It Wrong To Be Rich?

3. What Is A Christian To Do?

I. WHAT IS MONEY?

A. Coinage Was Not Invented Until The 7th Century B.C.

B. Money In The Bible

1. In the Old Testament there are at least twenty five words for wealth, riches, prosperity, etc.

2. In the New Testament there are five words

C. Today, money represents a period of time in our life

1. Psalm 90:10

2. Psalm 90:12

3. Psalm 39:4

NOTE: “….how frail I am” – what time I have here

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NOTE: If we have a salary of $6.00/hour, then we say we are worth 10 cents a minute

4. Romans 12:1

NOTE: We are living sacrifices. Our money represents segments of our life. We must be good stewards of our money (life).

II. IS IT WRONG TO BE RICH?

A. In New Testament Times The Two Greatest Obstacles To The Worship Of God:

1. Philosophy

2. Money

B. Nowhere In Scripture Is Wealth Thought To Be Sinful Per Se

1. Material goods are regarded in Scripture as neither good nor bad in themselves, but only according as they are properly or improperly used

2. While it is not sinful to be rich, it is very dangerous and perilous to one’s salvation. cf. the rich young ruler Luke 18:22-23

a. Not to be trusted in

1) Luke 18:24

2) I Timothy 6:17

b. Not to be gloried in Jeremiah 9:23

c. The heart is not to be set on them Psalm 62:10

C. There Are Particular Sins Associated With Wealth

1. Highmindedness I Timothy 6:17

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2. Oppression of the poor James 2:6

3. Selfishness Luke 12 and 16

4. Dishonesty Luke 19:1-10

5. Self-conceit Proverbs 28:11

6. Self-trust Proverbs 18:11

D. “Lucre” in the New Testament

1. Found five times as applying to wealth.

2. Each time it is prefaced by the word “filthy”

3. In four of the five passages it refers to the income of ministers of the Gospel as a special warning of being led away by the influences of power and money

a. I Timothy 3:3

b. I Timothy 3:8

c. Titus 1:7

d. Titus 1:11

e. I Peter 5:2

E. The Possession Of Wealth Is Not Regarded As Sinful, But On The Contrary, Was Looked Upon As A Sign Of The Blessing Of God Ecclesiastes 5:19, 6:2

1. It is made by God Psalm 104:24.

2. It comes from God I Chronicles 29:12

3. It is the crown of the wise Proverbs 14:24

F. The Believer Is Only The Administrator Of God’s Wealth

1. Some Old Testament saints were men of great wealth

a. Job

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b. Abraham

c. David

2. No New Testament saint was of comparable wealth but many were rich

a. Nicodemus

b. Joseph of Arimathaea

c. Zacchaeus

d. It is inferred that James and John were of considerable wealth

III. WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN TO DO ABOUT GAMBLING?

A. Gambling – The transfer of something of value from one person to another in such a way that the gain of the one is balanced by the loss of the other, and in which the exchange is made dependent primarily upon an uncertain event.

B. It is indeed strange when a Christian on one hand confesses God is Ruler over all, and God leaves nothing to chance, and on the other hand “plays the horses” trusting in “the odds” or “lady luck”

C. Gambling Is A Sin Because It Offers Money Without Labor And Effort

1. Genesis 3:19

2. II Thessalonians 3:10

D. Money won by gambling (chance)

1. We have not earned it

2. It is obtained at the expense of another to whom we have not rendered any comparable value

E. Money Obtained By “Chance” Methods, According To Scripture, Is Dishonorable

1. It is unacceptable to God Mark 12:44

NOTE: Jesus’ comment reveals that the value of what we do for God is not its size or extent but its cost to us.

NOTE: Although Jesus was the Lord of all wealth, He saw fit to travel life without wealth, trusting His heavenly Father

2. It can lead to “many sorrows” I Timothy 6:10 – in the life of the individual

3. Ezekiel 22:27

4. Proverbs 15:27

5. I Timothy 6:3-6

CONCLUSION

So what is the Christian’s position on get-rich schemes?

1. … no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly Psalm 84:11

2. We must never be greedy of gain Proverbs 1:10-19

3. The emphasis of the Christian life must be:

a. A righteous walk.

b. A proper stewardship of what God gives us.

c. A peace (wholeness, completeness) that passes all understanding

1) Philippians 4:7

2) Isaiah 26:3

Question: 'Is gambling a sin? What does the Bible say about gambling?'
Answer: The Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, betting, or the lottery. The Bible does warn us, however, to stay away from the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). Scripture also encourages us to stay away from attempts to “get rich quick” (Proverbs 13:11; 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10). Gambling most definitely is focused on the love of money and undeniably tempts people with the promise of quick and easy riches.
What is wrong with gambling? Gambling is a difficult issue because if it is done in moderation and only on occasion, it is a waste of money, but it is not necessarily evil. People waste money on all sorts of activities. Gambling is no more or less of a waste of money than seeing a movie (in many cases), eating an unnecessarily expensive meal, or purchasing a worthless item. At the same time, the fact that money is wasted on other things does not justify gambling. Money should not be wasted. Excess money should be saved for future needs or given to the Lord’s work, not gambled away.
While the Bible does not explicitly mention gambling, it does mention events of “luck” or “chance.” As an example, casting lots is used in Leviticus to choose between the sacrificial goat and the scapegoat. Joshua cast lots to determine the allotment of land to the various tribes. Nehemiah cast lots to determine who would live inside the walls of Jerusalem. The apostles cast lots to determine the replacement for Judas. Proverbs 16:33 says, “The lot is cast in the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”
What would the Bible say about casinos and lotteries? Casinos use all sorts of marketing schemes to entice gamblers to risk as much money as possible. They often offer inexpensive or even free alcohol, which encourages drunkenness, and thereby a decreased ability to make wise decisions. Everything in a casino is perfectly rigged for taking money in large sums and giving nothing in return, except for fleeting and empty pleasures. Lotteries attempt to portray themselves as a way to fund education and/or social programs. However, studies show that lottery participants are usually those who can least afford to be spending money on lottery tickets. The allure of “getting rich quick” is too great a temptation to resist for those who are desperate. The chances of winning are infinitesimal, which results in many peoples’ lives being ruined.
Can lotto/lottery proceeds please God? Many people claim to be playing the lottery or gambling so that they can give the money to the church or to some other good cause. While this may be a good motive, reality is that few use gambling winnings for godly purposes. Studies show that the vast majority of lottery winners are in an even worse financial situation a few years after winning a jackpot than they were before. Few, if any, truly give the money to a good cause. Further, God does not need our money to fund His mission in the world. Proverbs 13:11 says, “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” God is sovereign and will provide for the needs of the church through honest means. Would God be honored by receiving donated drug money or money stolen in a bank robbery? Of course not. Neither does God need or want money that was “stolen” from the poor in the temptation for riches.
First Timothy 6:10 tells us, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Hebrews 13:5 declares, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Matthew 6:24 proclaims, “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.”