The gambling interests want an increase in gambling.
They now want what they call table games. It is said, "Why
not keep your market growing?" "He believes table games
will tap a younger group of customers." "The key is
to offer customers something different." Quotations are from
a local newspaper.
Is gambling such a worthwhile industry that we
should desire more and more people's participating in it? Some
say, "We can't avoid gambling. Life itself is a gamble."
They say, "Farmers take risks. If the weather is not right
they may lose their seed and labor." However, farming is
an essential risk, or the world will starve. Those who invest
in business take a chance. This also is a necessary risk if there
are to be jobs and industrial development. The gambling that we
wish to discourage is nonessential risks and the hope of gain
at the expense of others.
Gambling is defined, "To play games of chance
for money or some other stake, to take a risk in order to gain
some advantage, to bet, wager, an act ... involving risk of loss."
Many say, "The Bible does not condemn gambling."
There are Bible principles which show gambling is a risk to the
soul. The soul is too precious to take a chance of being lost.
See Matthew 16:24-26.
The following are ten reasons why gambling is
a great risk to Christians.
1. To earn a living we must be gainfully employed.
"Let him that stole steal no more; but rather let him labor
..." Eph. 4:28. "If any would not work, neither should
he eat." 2 Thess. 3:l0.
2. "It is required in stewards that a man
be found faithful." 1 Cor. 4:2. More is spent on gambling
than on religion or education. This is not good stewardship of
the material prosperity with which God has blessed us.
3. Gambling is motivated by covetousness. Covetousness
is defined as, "Eager to have what belongs to another, hence,
greedy of gain." W .E. Vine. The covetous shall not "inherit
the kingdom of God" 2 Cor. 6:9, 10.
4. Many lose so much by gambling that they cannot
provide for their families. Those who do not provide for their
own families are "worse than infidels." 1 Tim. 5:8.
5. The gambler desires to get an advantage over
others. This conflicts with, "Love works no ill to his neighbor."
Rom. 13:10.
6. Jesus said a bad tree produces bad fruit. Matt.
7:17. The fruit of gambling is bad. Thomas E. Dewey wrote, "The
entire history of legalized gambling ... shows that it has brought
but poverty, crime, and corruption, demoralization of moral and
ethical standards, and ultimately a lower living standard and
misery for all the people." "Gambling breeds dishonesty
and deceit. Gamblers, like drug addicts, frequently resort to
crime to finance their wicked habit." Spiritual Sword,
July 1978.
7. Gambling is addictive. Many years ago, the
Presbyterian Journal reported there were 10 million compulsive
gamblers. Because of gambling, Pete Rose risked and lost the dearest
thing on earth to him. Paul made a resolution all should make.
"I will not be brought under the power of any." 1 Cor.
6:12.
8. Gambling destroys contentment and causes much
anxiety. "Godliness with contentment is great gain."
We are not to become "anxious" concerning the things
of this earth. Phil. 4:6.
9. It is a work of darkness. J. Edgar Hoover said,
"The gambling problem must be viewed as a phase of the entire
crime picture ... It corrupts youth and blights the lives of adults.
It becomes the springboard for other crimes." Paul wrote,
"Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,
but rather reprove them." Eph. 5:11.
10. The committed Christian will not gamble. "You
cannot serve God and mammon." Matt. 6:24. We have already
shown that gambling is prompted by covetousness. Covetousness
is idolatry." Col. 3:5. We must not support the evil of gambling
in any form - whether it be the state lottery, betting on the
horses and sports, bingo, or taking chances at a carnival. Though
it be to raise funds for religion, school, or charity, there is
no justification for gambling. Gamblers Anonymous insists that
their members not even gamble for a coke or a cup of coffee.
An educator once said, "Gambling is a sin
that should be avoided scrupulously by all of God's people."
Gambling is too great a risk. It hurts one's influence; it destroys
families; it causes crime; and, very likely, will cause the loss
of one's soul. 3 Heather Ct., Scott Depot, WV 25560-8813.