Have you ever wondered if it is a sin to gamble? I ran across this very subject this morning and thought it to be a good topic for today's post. Please read on:
Is it a sin to buy a lottery ticket, make a sports bet, spend a little at the casino?
Is it a sin to buy a lottery ticket? What about making a bet at a casino – so long as it's a budgeted amount of money and made responsibly? How about dropping a sports bet? Is it a sin to gamble?
Some people would argue there is nothing sinful about it. Recently, after posting on Facebook one of my editorials against the legalization of sports betting in the Tar Heel state, a woman said in the comments section: "I've never found any basis in the Bible to oppose gambling specifically, even though I have searched." Another woman wrote, "Nowhere in the Bible does it say gambling is a sin — not one single sentence about gambling."
Guess what? Those two women were right. One cannot show any place in Scripture where it directly says, "Thou shalt not gamble." But is the matter that easily dismissed?
The late Dr. D. James Kennedy, a renowned Presbyterian minister, used to counter this argument in favor of gambling by explaining it's also impossible to find in Scripture where it directly says, "Thou shalt not watch pornography." Nevertheless, the Bible does talk about the sin of lust and advocates principles that would prohibit doing anything that would entertain, generate, or provide for the means and expression of lust.
The Bible also talks about the sin of covetousness. "Those who cannot see the connection between pornography and lust are not likely to see the connection between covetousness and gambling," said Kennedy. "The truth is, however, that gambling is a form of the sin of covetousness."
What is covetousness, one might ask? In short, covetousness is an inordinate desire for wealth and possessions or someone else's possessions.
Rex Rogers, in his book Seducing America, rightly says there are only three ways to legitimately acquire property: 1. as a gift, 2. as a payment for labor, and 3. in fair exchange. Anything else is covetousness and gambling certainly doesn't fit any of these criteria.
Covetousness is a violation of the 10th Commandment of God, "Thou shalt not covet …" (Exodus 20:17). Gambling flows from a spirit of avarice and greed. This is what makes it so exciting and addictive. It stirs up what is depraved in human nature and can make a person lose their way. Gambling is born of the burning desire for quick earthly riches.
Thus, the Scriptures provide strong warnings about covetousness. Jesus said, "Take heed and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses" (Luke 12:15). The apostle Paul admonished, "But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains" (I Timothy 6:9-10).
(Source: The Christian Post)
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Mr. Creech makes some good points. Right? However, the commandment he refers to only means we should not covert what belongs to our neighbor. Also, right. Right?
That may be a point of argument for some people. However, I would add that if you go back up to the first commandment, God said:
Thou shall have no other God's before me.
Gambling can become an addiction for people. It can ruin lives. It can become a god.
Why then, would we ever want to even be tempted to play the lottery, or go into a casino?
Even if we do not feel it is a sin to play that first lottery ticket, it can draw us in deeper. To deeper sin. Why go there?
I prefer to go with the God's commandments than to take a chance on what can happen if I don't.
Thou shall have no other God's before me
Thou shall not covet
Those laws that God gave us.
They are good enough for me.
How about you?
Thanks for coming by today, Friends. I apologize for not getting here yesterday. Have a blessed day!
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