- 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).
- 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
me a lottery ticket?
- God uses money to accomplish important purposes in my life:
- Meet basic needs (Matt. 6:11;
I Tim. 6:8).
- Build character (Phil 4:10-13)
- Give direction, by providing or withholding
resources.
- Helping others through me.
- Show His power by providing miraculously.
Ask: Does gambling accomplish these results?
Am I looking to God or to the lottery for my needs?
- Greed and covetousness are sin (Ex. 20:18; I Tim. 6:9; Heb 13:5),
and these are motives in most gambling.
- Proverbs
warns of disaster for people who want to get rich quickly (28:20,22).
- Wealth that comes easily goes just as easily (Prov. 13:11).
- Wealth gained the wrong way breaks up families (Prov. 15:27).
- 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).
Studies show
that lotteries are the favorite legal gambling game for teenagers.
Statistically, one of seven who play will become addicted. But teenagers aren't
the only ones affected. One out of 10 adults who gamble will become addicted
too. In fact, gambling is the fastest growing addiction in America. Like
alcoholism and drug addiction, compulsive gambling is costly to the economy.
Families are the ones who suffer the most. Many people feel gambling is only a
game that is fun, but the Bible tells us this evil is a terrible sin that will
lead to poverty.
"He
that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty
shall come upon him" (Proverbs 28:22).
Gambling in our
nation is spreading as the number of states operating lotteries has more than
doubled since 1980, making them the ultimate "get-rich-quick"
schemes. As gambling spreads to more and more states, Christians need to have
the Bible's instruction about this money robber. The Bible declares that it is
wrong to bet money on the possibility of becoming instantly rich.
"He
who oppresses the poor to get gain for himself, and he who gives to the rich
will surely come to want" (Proverbs 22:16).
States who
legalize lotteries and gambling are oppressing the poor for gain. According to
a 1988 study of the Michigan
lottery, that state sells the greatest number of tickets in low-income and
ethnic neighborhoods in urban areas. Lottery tickets made available in grocery
marts and drive-in markets make it easy for people to purchase these
"chances to win the big hit." Some spend money on the lottery tickets
instead of groceries for their families. Many compulsive gamblers wreck their
lives and their families as they are encouraged to risk money that they usually
cannot afford to lose. An estimated 15 million people are compulsive gamblers.
The lie that is
used to promote this evil in our society is that legalized gambling doesn't
promote crime and will lower taxes. Actually just the opposite is true --
gambling promotes other vices which attract the criminal element. This results
in higher, not lower taxes as the cost for additional policing must be
increased. Indian reservations and the big gambling centers of Las
Vegas and Atlantic City
are taking in billions of dollars. Casinos rob those who play the games with
them as the odds are stacked 80% to 90% in favor of the casino. Even those that
do win big on occasion statistics have proven that within two years most
winners have totally spent the money they won.
Proverbs
21:20 says, "There
is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish
man spendeth it up."
People who
gamble give to the pool of money that composes great wealth. This causes them
to give to the rich and as Proverbs 22:16 says "...he
who gives to the rich will surely come to want." Our states are
also reaping a type of "poverty" where gambling exists because it
undermines the American work ethic. The result is lowered productivity, use of
work time to gamble, absenteeism, high rates of business failure, and repeated
non-payment of loans, mortgages and other financial obligations. Gambling is,
to many, a scheme to escape labor.
Some Christians
argue that gambling does no harm. However, the scripture is clear that this
activity is sinful. Anytime someone is enticed to gain money at someone's
else's certain loss, this is definitely not practicing the principals taught by
Christ. Also, the practice of gambling takes away from the Bible's principals
of economics -- working, saving and giving. Discipline and accountability for
spending are ignored. Gambling preys on the weakness of others.
Let me mention
here that entering free sweepstakes or drawings are not sinful as they are
advertising ploys paid for by the sponsors. They use these to advertise their
products while giving their customers a chance to win in a drawing. There is no
gambling involved as the participants give no money for a chance to win the
prize.
However, many
Christians are guilty of supporting lotteries, bingo, horse racing, and even
playing at the casinos. Video poker has become so popular it is now referred to
as "the crack cocaine of gambling." Some do not realize the gravity
of their sin. They justify gambling simply because they have needs that cannot
be met through their present earned income. The Lord desires to meet those
needs for them and will give them a plan for becoming debt free if they seek
him and His economic principles in the Bible.
The Lord can
bring deliverance to those caught in this web of compulsive gambling. Through
admission of this sin and repentance God will break the bondage of it in those
who desire to be set free. Gamblers need love and acceptance but they must
repent in order to be free. The Lord loves those who are addicted to gambling
and will help all that call upon Him for deliverance.
The above is not original with me, but I cannot remember who to give credit to. I will happily give credit if shown the author. Thanks, Phillip
