What’s Wrong With Gambling?
Colossians 3:17
1 Corinthians 10:31
We divide our lives into two different parts: sacred and secular.
As a Christian, all of life is sacred.
“What is the chief end of man? Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him for ever.” Westminster Shorter Catechism 1674
Gambling isn’t directly addressed in Scripture.
Gambling Fever
Legalized gambling exists in 47 states and in the District of Columbia.
Those that don’t allow gambling: Utah, Hawaii and Tennessee.
Legal gambling activities in America amounts to nearly $700 billion.
Experts estimate 6 million compulsive gamblers in the U.S.
The average compulsive gambler has debts exceeding $80,000.
One expert said that the elderly have “unique circumstances when it comes to gambling. They are often dealing with major life changes, such as retirement, death of a spouse, or early dementia…(and gambling) relieves the pain of whatever loss they’re dealing with.” Christianity Today
What’s wrong with gambling biblically?
Gambling Runs Counter to God’s Sovereignty
Matthew 10, Psalm 139
There is no such thing as “Luck” or “fate” in the Christian’s life.
There is only Providence.
Gambling Runs Counter to Wise Stewardship
In Stewardship, we mean that in coming to Jesus and making Him Savior and Lord of our lives, we are giving Him all we are and have.
The Bible urges us to be good stewards and to manage our treasure wisely.
Someone defined gambling as “institutionalized covetousness.”
“Thou shalt not covet” The entire gambling industry in all its forms is based on the exact reverse of that.
Gambling Runs Counter to Good Sense
You are seven times more likely to be hit by lightning than to win a million dollars in the lottery.
Am I saying buying a lottery ticket will send you to hell? No.
I’ll not purchase a lottery ticket because I don’t want to be ripped off.
“Gambling is a great way of getting nothing for something.” Unknown
“A young gambler is sure to be an old beggar if he lives long enough.” Charles Spurgeon
“State lotteries and gambling games are essentially a rip-off, and widespread legalization of gambling is one of the worst changes in public policy to have occurred in recent years…The viciousness of the state-run games is compounded beyond belief by the fact that state governments actively advertise and promote the games and winners.” Ross Wilhelm, professor of business economics at University of Michigan
Proverbs 13:11 in the Living Bible says: “Wealth from gambling quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows.”
What is the chief purpose of man? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men that they might see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.”
All of life is a sacrament, and it isn’t to be gambled away.
We don’t live by the luck of the draw, we live by faith.
