Hey Daniel, So You Think Gambling Isn't A Sin Huh?

[alltalk22 0]

Gambling in its many different forms has been a problem to society for generations. It has been the ruin and destruction of many people who have willingly or otherwise fallen into its heartbreaking trap. Gambling includes such things as casino gambling, horse racing, high risk investments, state-sponsored lotteries, and church- and civic group-sponsored raffles. Sweepstakes may also constitute a form of gambling.I believe that all forms of gambling are wrong and that Christians who are serious about their faith and practical holiness will want to avoid involvement in any way. Gambling promotes the myth that there is a shortcut to financial success apart from God-honored labor (Eph. 4:28). It promotes pleasure at another's expense and emphasizes getting rather than giving (Acts 20:32-35). Churches and charitable organizations sometimes use raffles and games of chance for fund-raising purposes. They may rationalize that the end justifies the means or follow situational ethics in these instances, but that does not make it right.Since gambling has become so prevalent, and since it assumes many forms, we must be aware of the dangers posed by any involvement with it. While most sincere Christians would have little to do with the more obvious forms of gambling, for example, betting on horse-racing or football pools, there are many subtle forms of gambling in which Christians may participate, such as ‘the raffle’ which it is said ‘is in aid of a good cause’, and which they may not see as actual gambling.Since Satan is constantly trying to deceive men and women by making sin appear respectable and even attractive, we must be careful that we are not given a false impression of gambling. It is our duty before God to know exactly what it involves, and what the Scriptures teach regarding it.Scripture teaches us that if we value God's approval and believe in living consistently, we must fix our minds on that which is true and honorable, just and pure, lovely and praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8).Christ plainly warned against the snare of covetousness and taught that life does not consist in the abundance of our possessions. We cannot serve God and money (Luke 12:15; 16:13).Gambling often becomes an addiction and is a continual source of heartache, poverty, and suffering to those homes where one or more members are ensnared. The existence of groups such as Gamblers Anonymous, which attempt to help individuals over come their addiction, confirms the seriousness of this problem.I believe that the Scriptures teach us to abstain from all forms of greed. "He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live" (Prov. 15:27. See also Prov. 28:20, 22).I believe the state-sponsored lottery is not a Scriptural way to raise funds for even the most noble of causes. It promotes the illusion to the poor that they may soon be the recipients of instant wealth and released from the hopeless cycle of poverty in which they find themselves. In reality, many of the poor waste some of their limited resources on the lottery.The Bible teaches that godliness with contentment is great gain, and that they who want to be rich fall into many temptations and have many sorrows (I Tim. 6:6-10). "But thou, 0 man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness" (I Tim. 6:11).WHAT ARE THE MAIN FORMS OF GAMBLING ?GamblingThis is playing a game for money, e.g., cards, gaming machines (‘one-arm bandits’), bingo. The game itself may involve a measure of skill along with so-called ‘chance’, yet in each instance a risk is being taken with the hope of winning at someone else’s expense.BettingIn this instance, a person puts money, at certain odds, on an event which has not yet occurred. People bet on all kinds of events – not just on horse racing or greyhound racing, but on many of the major sporting events. For example, "Who will be the next world boxing champion?", "Who will win the Stanly Cup or the annual derby car race?" In fact, people even bet on who will be the next Miss America or who will be the next President.LotteryThis is the distribution of prizes according to either a manual or mechanical drawing of lot. The draw is usually made weekly in national lotteries, and such is its popularity that the winning numbers are announced on T.V. and radioFree-gifts, Raffles, etc.Free-gifts are those ‘gifts’ given by magazines, gas stations, and supermarkets to the holders of tickets with ‘lucky numbers.’ When a person wins a ‘free-gift’ by having a ‘lucky number’, it should be remembered that many other people have contributed in some form or other toward the cost of that ‘free-gift’ without they themselves getting anything of value in return. And as already stated, the fact that they have agreed to the system doesn’t make it right.In raffles, a number of people buy ‘chance tickets’ and the person with the ‘lucky number’ (the number drawn out of the hat) wins the article offered as a prize. These are clearly forms of gambling, and are undoubtedly sinful. Unfortunately, many professing Christians see nothing amiss with raffles and have participated willingly in them without recognizing the true nature of these schemes. Many, indeed, argue that since the article raffled is not of great value and the ‘chance tickets’ usually cost only a dollar or so each, there is no real harm done. This is untrue. Whether the stakes are large or small, the principle remains unchanged, In the eyes of God, the major concern is not the extent, but rather the fact of sin. And whether or not it is as sinful to ‘take a chance’ on winning $10 as opposed to ‘taking a chance’ on winning $1,000,000 is irrelevant; it is still sin,And so I ask again Daniel,What are your thoughts on Gambling? Is it a sin to gamble?

[chrozzo 19]

hi

[KramitDaToad 0]

I think it is also a sin to plagarise ( ie steal)http://www.bibleviews.com/gambling.htmlhttp://www.rpc.org/morals/gambling.htmYou can fuck off now

[DrawingDeadInDM 0]

And so I ask again Daniel,What are your thoughts on Gambling? Is it a sin to gamble?

Search Function. Learn it, Live it, Love it.

I've been asked this question so many times in private e-mails that I think it's about time I address. I often have people ask me how I justify what I do and maintain my beliefs. Well,as another poster pointed out there is nothing in the Bible says that anything about gambling being a sin. Personally I think anything you do that becomes an obession can be sinful- eating too much, drinking too much, becoming obsessed with money, etc. As long as poker doesn't interfere with your relationship with God I don't see a problem with it. If you put gambling before God that would be a problem. If gambling is destroying your family, I see that as a problem I often get the argument that what I do isn't Godly, i.e. taking other peoples money. What endeavor or business would this not be true? You open a restaurant, that's a gamble. You get married, that's a gamble. You invest in the stock market, well we all know that's a gamble! I make my living by being better than my opponents at a game. Shaquille O'Neal does the same thing. He makes millions of dollars because he is better than hs opponents. Does he take money from people directly? Not exactly, but indirectly he does. He's the best player on his team and makes more money than they do. If other teammates improve their play they'll make more money. There are a million similar anologies you could use. Get a promotion at a company because you work harder than other employees. .. etc. It's not sinful to be rich. In fact in the Bible it states that some will have more than others. It's sinful to obssess about money and make it your God... I don't think I do that. Having said all that I do feel a moral obligation to use the gift I was given in a positive way. Whether it be to make a difference in someone's life or to aid those less fortunate.

Now, get AIDS and die in a grease fire..in a nice way.

[therescav 0]

I think it is also a sin to plagarise ( ie steal)http://www.bibleviews.com/gambling.htmlhttp://www.rpc.org/morals/gambling.htmYou can fuck off now

Well played sir

[Sc00by 0]

Gambling includes such things as casino gambling, horse racing, high risk investments, state-sponsored lotteries, and church- and civic group-sponsored raffles. Sweepstakes may also constitute a form of gambling.

so then all business men that take a gamble on a new project they invest in are sinners, lolim not gonna sit here and say no its all good...blah blah...smoking, drinking, excessive eating, excessive shopping etc...all these things go in the same category, i dont think there is 1 person on the planet that hasnt got some kind of weakness others would frown uponanyways...theres a lot more bad to be said about religion in this world than there is gambling my friend !!

[chrozzo 19]

hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii= fuck off sir

[CrookedLink 0]

lol i'd stick around to hear all the flaming of this poor bastard but im 2 sleepy. It will make for a good read at work tomorrow though.

[chrozzo 19]

lol i'd stick around to hear all the flaming of this poor bastard but im 2 sleepy. It will make for a good read at work tomorrow though.

werd

[therescav 0]

Maybe if it wasn't Post number 1 there would be the tiniest bit more respect; but comon chances are this loser has just clicked the site and posted away knowing NOTHING. **** off sir

[Sheiky 0]

[chrozzo 19]

lmao

[jethrodull 0]

forgive me for I have sinned......ahhhhhhh all better now......J

[chrozzo 19]

forgive me for I have sinned......ahhhhhhh all better now......J

u good?