[ ] 3/13/2016 #1143
IS GAMBLING SIN?
1 Timothy 6:7-10
INTRODUCTION:Gambling is another subject that divides cultures and Christians. Some argue that gambling is just entertainment while others argue that gambling is morally wrong. The word "gambling" or "gamble" is not mentioned in the Bible. The Bible does have a lot to say about money and how we are to use it. It is the principal we discover in the Bible that will give us a correct moral view on gambling.
I. SERIOUS PROBLEM
A. STATISTICS ON GAMBLING.
The January 13, 2016 U.S.Powerballdrawing created the largestjackpotin world history. It had an annuity value of $1,586,400,000. People who had never gambled before were buying Powerball tickets.
Some were trusting in their good luck while some probably were praying to win.
Gambling has become a big problem in America and around the world. We are confronted with many forms of gambling. We have lotteries, casinos, sports betting and now online or internet gambling.Theglobal market size of online gamblingwas forecasted to reach 41.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2015.
The dictionary gives the definition of gambling as: the activity or practice of playing at a game of chance for money or other stakes, the act or practice of risking the loss of something important by taking a chance.
"A recent research reveals that in America, approximately 2.5 million adults suffer from compulsive gambling, about 3 million are considered problem gamblers, around 15 million adults are under the risk of becoming problem gamblers and 148 million fall under the low risk gambler category." (Rehab International)
It is estimated that 80 to 95 percent of the population in the United States has reported gambling at some point in their lives. It also reveals that more than $500 billion is spent annually on wagers.Illegal gambling may run as high as $100 billion per year.
In 1963 Lotteries were banned in every state. Now 37+ states and D.C. have lotteries. It is estimated more is spent on gambling than education, religion, medical care, and amusements.
B. SOCIAL EFFECTS OF GAMBLING
J. Edgar Hoover said, "Gambling is a vicious evil, it corrupts our youth and blights the lives of adults. It becomes the spring-board of other crimes, embezzlement, robbery and even murder."
We will never know the amount of suffering and grief gambling has caused in the lives of millions of people. It has brought poverty, crime, suffering in the lives of children, increase in divorce and suicide.
People who are addicted to gambling can have major problems that affect their lives, their family and society.Research has shown that three out of five gambling addicts have a family with children. Family members suffer physical and psychological abuse. More than 85 percent of families with a gambling addict have reported receiving threats from creditors and bill collectors. This places great stress on the family to repay debts and bills that the addict has accumulated as a result of gambling.
Gambling is becoming a major problem among youth and young adults. Many problem gamblers say they started out gambling at an early age of approximately 10 years old.
We spend billions of dollars on social services for those suffering from the effects of gambling. Studies have shown that two out of three gambling addicts will engage in criminal acts to pay for their gambling debts. The effect is that the addiction places a severe hardship on prison systems, public assistance programs and legal systems. There are many consequences of gambling addictions that result in economic costs. This cost is passed on to the tax payer.
There is a personal cost involved with gambling. Gambling destroys a man's credibility, reputation and family relationship. "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." (Proverbs 22:1 KJV)
II. SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPALS
We are not able to give a moral answer to gambling without having a biblical view of money in general.
The Bible addresses money issues more than any other topic.
A. SOURCE OF WEALTH.
Before a person engages in gambling, he should consider that prosperity and possessions come from God. Moses said to the Israelites, "But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth." (Deuteronomy 8:18 KJV) The food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the homes we live in all come from God.
B. STEWARDSHIP OF WEALTH.
Paul reminds us that "we brought nothing unto the world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." This is a clear reminder that everything we have is owned by God. "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1) We are stewards of God's possession. Our earthly possessions are on loan from God.
Our health to work is a gift from God. The employment we have comes from God. We are able to do our jobs only because God enables us to work. When we acknowledge that all our blessings come from God, we will see our stewardship responsibility to God.
Jesus' parable in Luke 12:16-21 about the rich fool helps us to see what happens when we leave God out of our lives. "But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:20-21 KJV)
Paul "said that godliness with contentment is great gain."
The words of Job are a great reminder to us all. "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21 KJV)
If you haven't learned this spiritual principal already, you will. You will not carry anything with you when you die.
We are to be faithful stewards of all that God has trusted us with. "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:2 KJV)
C. SPENDING OF WEALTH.
Since we are stewards of God's creation and our wealth comes from Him, we should spend our wealth wisely. We will have to give an account to the Lord on the day of judgment. Gambling is being a poor steward of God's possessions. It is sin. Gambling is covetousness and the Bible clearly calls covetousness sin. The wise steward will invest in eternal things. (Matthew 6:19-20)
Jesus said, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." (Luke 12:15 KJV)
Christians who gamble will have a hard time explaining to the Lord why they spent money on gambling but would never tithed.How we spend our money is a spiritual decision and stewardship of God's blessings. While you may buy one lottery ticket occasionally, you are still participating and aiding the gambling industry. Gambling is about losing and not about winning. The winners are few and the losers are many.
Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Luke 12:34 KJV)
III. SINFUL PRACTICE
A. ROOT OF GAMBLING.
Covetousness is at the root of all gambling. The love of money is the root of all evils. Gambling would be one of those evils Paul was mentioning. Materialism, greed, covetousness are all issues of the sinful heart. (Mark 7:22) Gambling is man's attempt to get money from another person's loss. The amount of the wager does not matter.When a person seeks to obtain what belongs to another without giving fair exchange,it is a covetous practice.Their craving for wealth and pleasure causes them to cast aside any thought that gambling may be wrong.
Paul gives us a strong warning aboutthe immoral desire to be rich. "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." (1 Timothy 6:9-10 KJV)
Paul's warning was to those "that will be rich." Love of these people is for worldly wealth.They believe riches will bring meaning and happiness to their lives. Their lust for wealth causes them many problems. Some will err from the faith.
People are falling to Satan's deceptive plan. Satan's greatest deception is promising people the pleasure of this world at the cost of their souls.
B. RESPONSE TO GAMBLING.
1. Labor.
Gambling discourages labor and encourages "the get rich mentality" that many people have today. Those who can least afford to gamble spend their money hoping they can win and be rich. "He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him." (Proverbs 28:22 KJV)
States who use gambling to raise revenue tempt the poorest of the people to participate in their lottery by their highly advertised commercials. The increase of states revenue can never offset the moral collapse and damage done to people's lives.
The church has always stood against gambling. Christians are to trust God to supply their needs. (Luke 12:22-31) God told Adam that he was to labor by the sweat of the brow. (Genesis 2:18-19) Work is an honorable thing. Solomon wrote, "He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. "(Proverbs 12:11 KJV)
We are told in the New Testament that "whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." (Colossians 3:17 KJV)You cannot make Jesus part of gambling. Christians are to live by faith. (Romans 1:17)The Bible teaches "for whatsoeverisnotoffaithissin." (Romans 14:23) Gambling is sin for it is not of faith. Luck or chance depends upon circumstances for good or bad. Faith rest upon the unfailing promises of God. The Bible says that "In all labour there is profit." (Proverbs 14:23 KJV) Gambling cannot offer such a promise.
2. Love
A Christian should never gamble because he understands he is seeking to take from another person. Love works no ills to its neighbor. (Romans 14:10) Christian love never takes, but it shares and gives to the needy. Christian love follows the example of the Savior. Gambling is greedy and selfish. Gambling is patterned after the greed of Judas who sold his Lord for thirty pieces of silver.
CONCLUSION:
Gambling adds to the moral corruption and collapse of our society. Gambling is another of the devil's tricks.The devil loves it when people gamble with their souls. A person's destination after death is no chance. You will either go to heaven or hell when you die. It is not about fate but faith. You have to place your faith in Jesus Christ to go to heaven. You have to do nothing in order to go to hell.